–– Tim Cantrell
The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
‘Pastor, should I start a business with an unbeliever? Would it be wise for me to partner with this person or not?’ I’ve been asked this question many times, and I believe the Bible has answers.
Right now in South Africa, about 29% of the workforce is self-employed. Over 80% of South Africans believe entrepreneurship is a good career path, and there is a growing interest in starting new businesses, despite economic hurdles. But for the believer, the first question must not be, ‘How much money will I make? Will it succeed or not?’
Christian decision-making always begins with, ‘What does God’s Word say about this? What will be most pleasing to my Lord?’ To answer this question in relation to business partnerships, let’s ask three questions: (1) What does it mean to be unequally yoked?; (2) How does that differ with employment?; (3) Will this partnership compromise my Christian witness?
Can You Tell a Yoke?
God’s Word says, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? And what fellowship has light with darkness? And what harmony has Christ with Belial? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Cor. 6:14)
Being yoked together means pulling the same plough down the same furrow. It means working side by side in the same project or enterprise. Being unequally yoked with the world should be unthinkable because the difference is so great between the Christian and the non-Christian! God’s children should stand in stark contrast with Satan’s children since we have opposite goals, motives and methods. How can light link arms with darkness?
The focus of this text is on all ministry cooperation and spiritual pursuits, while it must also surely apply to marriage, the most intimate human bond, as well as to any other close friendships. Our church’s doctrinal statement and membership covenant speak of the biblical doctrine of separation from the world, an oft-overlooked mandate nowadays.
How then does that apply to business partnerships? To answer that, we must ask to what extent the joint venture requires moving in the same direction, with the same goals and objectives. A lot of case-by-case wisdom and pastoral counsel will be needed for each situation, while also respecting differing convictions on this matter, as is our Christian liberty (1 Cor. 8,10; Rom. 14-15:13).
Employee vs. Partner?
Employment is usually not the same as a partnership in terms of working shoulder-to-shoulder under the same yoke. If your boss keeps violating biblical principles to the point that your conscience cannot bear it any longer, you can either take a stand and appeal it, or resign. You are not an owner or director, so you don’t bear final responsibility for that company’s decisions or direction.
But if you are locked into a serious partnership, taking a stand for what you believe may be much harder. And when you aren’t present, your partner is in effect representing you, because you are yoked and ploughing together in the same direction, under the same brand or banner. Legally and practically, you may be joined at the hip – in a way that an employer and an employee would never be.
Randy Alcorn also gives this warning: “Even some (professing) Christian partners betray the Lord; the yoke is made unequal by the fundamental difference between the spiritual state of the partners, regardless of their profession.” In this case, the faithful business partner would need to follow the biblical steps for restoring a straying brother found in Matthew 18:15-20. But if the wayward or unrepentant business partner is not in a healthy church that obeys the Bible, this process may soon stall or reach a dead end.
Will It Compromise My Christian Witness?
Whenever a Christian applies for a new job, their first question should always be, ‘How can I be a witness for my Lord at this company if they employ me?’ Whether you become a partner, shareholder, or just an employee, you should always be asking, as one pastor rightly puts it:
Whose ends am I furthering by becoming a part of their world? Am I doing it on their terms, or God’s? Who is going to influence whom? Am I coming into their world where I will effectively represent Christ, or where they will politely nod at my being a Christian but will expect me to align myself with their values?
Maybe 90% of the time our goals and general values will overlap, or at least not contradict. But what happens in the 10%? Will they come closer to following Jesus, or will I come closer to following their idols?
No matter how badly a believer needs work, the end never justifies the means. Am I ready to stand unashamedly for Christ in this work environment? Will I stay at the table and listen to an immoral story or dirty joke? No matter how much I am falsely accused of being ‘holier than thou’ or too different than the ‘in-crowd’, will I stand my ground? Or will I participate in unrighteousness and just ‘go with the flow’ downstream (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 3:16; 4:1-6; Eph. 4:17; 5:18; Php. 2:15)? Or am I ready to swim upstream for Christ (Jn. 15:18-25; Php. 4:13)?
One godly leader gives this sober warning:
I know of a talented Christian musician who performed at events around the world. He decided to cross over to make an impact in the secular world. He told himself it wasn’t just to further his profession as a musician, but it was to reach people who need the Lord. He is now singing in nightclubs, rarely about the Lord, and his friends say he has lost his spiritual edge. Last I heard, he was in danger of becoming indistinguishable from the very people he stepped away from Christian ministry in order to reach.
One of my fellow elders in our church is an accomplished entrepreneur who has started numerous businesses and is known for his integrity and biblical wisdom. He suggests that any believer entering into a business partnership should also ask the following four questions: (a) Do I understand biblically what specific qualities to look for in a business partner?; (b) As a married man, am I careful to avoid any “hint of impurity” or unwise cooperation with the opposite sex (Eph. 5:3)?; (c) Do I understand biblical principles for making and honouring contracts (Prov. 22:26-27; Eccl. 5:5; Matt. 5:37)?; (d) While guarding against wrong partnerships, am I prepared to do business and trade with unbelievers, as part of being salt and light in this world (Matt. 5:13-16; 1 Cor. 5:10)?
Conclusion
The bottom line for every servant of Christ should be: God is faithful, He never tempts me, and He always provides for me (Ps. 23:1; Php. 4:19; 1 Cor. 10:12-13; Jm. 1:13-15). I dare not “lean on my own understanding” or be “wise in my own eyes” or fail to “trust Him with all my heart”, since I know He will “direct my paths” (Prov. 3:5-7). God has put me on this earth for one supreme reason: To bear witness to His Son and to glorify Him in whatever I do (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Col. 3:17; 1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Cor. 5:18-21).
Some believers have proven over decades that they could work closely with unbelievers who still manifest much common grace, honesty and decency, and with whom they can run a fruitful business. But all believers must resolve not to dishonour Christ by entering into a business relationship of any kind that will tarnish His name, bring His gospel into disrepute, or compromise their integrity.
If I bear the name of my Master, I must remain “above reproach (blameless)” and never be unequally yoked (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). If I am already yoked unevenly, I must pray earnestly and seek wise counsel on how best to get out of such a compromised partnership, trusting the Lord will indeed give wisdom and strength so that I can do the right thing (Josh. 1:8; Jam. 1:6-8).