10 Businesses & Jobs That A Christian Should Not Do
As a good Christian, whenever you’re starting a business, taking a job offer, or changing jobs, there’s the need to consider whether they are businesses/jobs that a Christian should do or should not do.
Due to the smaller number of job opportunities that were available then, choosing a job as a Christian was easier in earlier generations. But today is quite different, especially in light of the significant advancements brought about by science and technology today.
Since the time of the early church, much has changed in the world. While there are still doctors like Luke and tent makers like Paul in the Bible, as well as farmers, fishermen, builders, laborers, teachers, warriors, financiers, church employees, etc.
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The complexity and variety of paid occupations have dramatically increased during the past 300 years.
Businesses & Jobs That A Christian Should Not Do
Reiterating the aforementioned, every Christian would likely agree with me that there are some professions that a Christian should just never engage in. Robbery, drug sales, and human trafficking are just a few examples.
But what about professions that are not as obvious as those listed above? What about, say, owning a hotel? Is this unfit for a Christian to engage in?
We must gain a biblical perspective on what Christianity looks like in the workplace to respond to this question and many more like it. There are lists of vices in the Bible, but they should not be viewed as exhaustive or definitive.
What Should You Consider As A Christian In Choosing A Job?
In applying for or taking up any business/job, a Christian has to consider whether the business or job will force them to engage in behavior that is against the principles of the word of God or the country when deciding what jobs we should and shouldn’t do.
Another option is to consider what the Bible has to say about where and how we work. You will agree that the bible’s entire message is centered on loving others.
It is trite to say that businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do are not centered on love for others. Therefore, we must accept the manner that Jesus commanded us to operate.
Jesus exemplified and preached an altruistic love that never puts one’s interests before those of others (Philippians 2:3, 4).
Businesses & Jobs That A Christian Should Not Do
As Christians, our goal is not to amass as much wealth as possible through any means required, but rather to also take into account the impact that our employment or activity may have on humanity.
Without deviating from the topic at hand, let’s swiftly get to work and demonstrate some of the businesses or jobs that a Christian should not do even if it pays millions.
Top 10 Businesses & jobs that Christians Should Not Do
Here are the top 10 businesses and jobs that Christians should not do
- Working in Beer Parlor/Hall
- Strippers Business
- Casino/Gambling House
- Internet Fraud
- Pornography Dating Sites
- Human Trafficking Business
- Stolen Goods Business
- Mercenary/Assassin Business
- Drug Dealing business
- S*x Workers/Prostitution
1. Working in Beer Parlor/Hall:
The first on our list of businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do is working in a beer parlor/hall.
It would sound weird to say this. A real child of God would find abomination particles along the entire length and breathe of a beer parlor/hall which will be unbearable to him or her.
Although, you should be aware that working in a beer hall is not expressly forbidden by the Bible. However, several biblical passages suggest that Christians should abstain from alcohol use and related professions, this makes working in the Beer Parlor/hall rank in the list of businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do.
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Some vices that Christians should abstain from are listed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (NIV): “Do you not realize that the wicked will not have access to God’s kingdom? Do not be fooled: Those who practice sexual immorality, idolaters, adulterers, men who have s*x with men, or adulteresses will not inherit God’s kingdom. One of these sins is intoxication, which includes drinking alcohol (1 Tim 5:23).
Businesses & Jobs That A Christian Should Not Do
Since all alcoholic beverages include some alcohol per volume unit, drinking any other alcoholic beverage, such as beer, would also be prohibited.
What would you even want to do in a beer parlor that hosts a group of immoral people and hope to make a life there without losing your trust in the atrocities of the outside world?
You can always find drunks, prostitutes, and gamblers there, and it also houses a variety of crooks who will extend a hand of friendship. Sincerely speaking, you can’t ignore them all. Your belief in the living God is now being eroded by the process of mixing with them.
1 Timothy 3:8 and Titus 2:3 are two other verses that forbid excessive wine consumption and intoxication. Due to these commands, Christians are unable to make money from the sale or provision of alcoholic beverages without transgressing God’s law.
Another reason why working in a beer parlor is one of the businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do is that, Jesus frowns at misleading people according to Matthew 18:6
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Reasons a Christian Shouldn’t Work At A Beer Hall?
Some of the reasons why the beer business is one of the businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do is that alcohol is widely regarded as a sin because it has the potential to cause us to lose sight of God and our duties as Christians.
According to 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 in the Bible, drinking is not something we should do.
Secondly, we should avoid people who are weak or struggling in their faith because they might follow our lead and stray as well (1 Corinthians 8:13).
Thirdly, when people look to us for advice, we should constantly be conscious of the message we’re conveying—especially when it comes to activities like beer making because drinking is so pervasive in modern culture.
Another reason why the beer business is ranked among the businesses/job that a Christian should not do is that those who come in to drink do unspeakable things to the ladies that work in the beer, even though some of them are victims of rape by those called customers.
2. Strippers Business
Next on our list of businesses and jobs that a Christian should not do is the strippers business. As stated in 1 John 2:16, attending a strip club is wrong because it satisfies the lust of the body. Any action, word, or thought that “falls short of the glory of God”(Romans 3:23) is considered a sin.
Every human being is born with a propensity to sin because of Adam’s fall in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:11; Romans 5:12).
We have a natural tendency to want to please ourselves, disobey God’s laws, and indulge in irrational desires. We are falling short of God’s glory whenever we misuse or abuse God’s plan.
God intended sexuality to be a positive aspect of human existence rather than a negative one. God gave us sexuality as a gift, and He has established rules for how to enjoy it in marriage (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:18).
Businesses & Jobs That A Christian Should Not Do
Strip clubs encourage sexual expression that is outside of God’s will, transforming a good thing He gave into a bad thing. This is another reason the striping business is among the businesses/job that a Christian should not do.
Other negative uses of God’s gift of sexuality include rape, pornography, homosexuality, and fornication.
According to Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:6, and 1 Corinthians 6:9, sexual activity that does not take place within a marriage connection is a sin. God intended marriage to be the only healthy, holy avenue of sexual expression.
Even though the Ten Commandments are an excellent place to start when trying to comprehend God’s restrictions on sexuality, Jesus went further to clarify the Law’s purpose:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I assure you that everybody who lustfully gazes at a lady has already had an extramarital affair with her in his heart. Gouge out your right eye and chuck it away if it makes you stutter. It is preferable for you to lose a single body part as opposed to having your entire body cast into hell (Matthew 5:27–29).
Businesses & Jobs That A Christian Should Not Do
In James 1:13–15, the Bible forewarns us that lust is a grave sin that will turn us away from God.
Stripper’s business is one of the businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do, hence it is not an ideal business for anyone who professes to be a child of God. This is due to the level of immorality that strippers and others who come for the strippers may engage in.
This kind of business significantly impedes further spiritual development, hence, stripping business is among the businesses/job that a Christian should not do.
3. Casino/Gambling House
Next on our list of businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do is launching a Casino/gambling house. The Bible forbids gambling to a great extent. Therefore, a sincere Christian has no place whatsoever in this endeavor.
The Bible commands us to live holy lives in front of God and other people, but this does not imply that we will be sinless.
Because we have the Holy Spirit and He convicts us of sin, it ought to mean that we will commit fewer sins than the rest of the world. However, there are some sins that we cannot continue to commit while remaining confident in our salvation.
The Bible lists several transgressions and declares that individuals who consistently engage in them will not inherit the Kingdom.
Apostle Peter tells us that just as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct(1 Pet 1:15), and in quoting the Old Testament, writes, You shall be holy, for I am holy (1 Pet 1:16)
4. Internet Fraud
Being an upright Christian and engaging in online fraud is immoral in God’s eyes. You do not, in any way, grow closer to God by this behavior. You are far away.
Fraud is simply taking what doesn’t belong to you and the Bible at several places, even beginning from the 10 commandments, frowns at stealing regardless of what form it takes.
There is no point exploring deeply into this point because it is obvious enough that fraud is ungodly and you must stay away from it as a child of God. However, we will cover it even more later on in this post.
5. Pornography Dating Sites
We also have on our list, the pornography Dating business as one of the businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do. As we all know that pornography Dating site business gratifies the flesh and it can also encourage sinful living.
A devout Christian must avoid being discovered launching a pornographic dating site or using it as a source of income. This is due to the addiction that it may develop in some people.
Plus, if you do this, you run the risk of leading a spiritual life that is diluted.
Businesses & Jobs That A Christian Should Not Do
Pornography viewing and the industry that supports it are both evil. Following the Bible, fornication, having feelings of lust for someone, and even wanting someone other than your spouse are sins.
However, there is evidence that watching pornography regularly has long-term detrimental impacts on a person’s life.
It is human nature to want to please ourselves not minding if it is right or not, thereby breaking God’s rules, and giving in to unreasonable desires. Every time we mistreat or misapply God’s design, we fall short of God’s glory.
6. Human Trafficking Business
The next on our list of businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do is Human Trafficking Business. First, what is human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is defined as a form of contemporary slavery in which traffickers use force, deceit, or coercion to maintain control over victims to force them to perform labor services or engage in commercial sex acts against their will.
Biblically, one will discover that all God wants is freedom, he even gave his only begotten son to save humankind from the slavery of sin and curse.
If this is the heart of God, shouldn’t people who are called by His name also be described by these activities, as they reflect the character of the God who came to save? Rather than engaging in human Trafficking.
According to Psalm 82:3-4 which says, “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.”
Businesses & Jobs That A Christian Should Not Do
As Christians, we must never lose sight of the fact that human trafficking is a Gospel issue and that the focus of our response must be the Gospel.
It is clear that the whole message of the Bible is centered on love, how then can a Christian be in a business/job that will enslave, and force people to do sinful acts without being convicted in their heart by the holy spirit?
7. Stolen Goods Business
The next on our list of businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do is stolen Goods Business. A true Christian will not first want to associate himself or herself with robbers not to talk of selling the goods gotten from their evil outing.
Carrying on stolen goods Business is more like encouraging robbers to steal more from people since they know that they have someone who will help them with the sale of it.
The Bible explains more in Leviticus 6:1-7 when the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
“If anyone sins and commits a breach of faith against the Lord by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor or has found something lost and lied about it, swearing falsely—in any of all the things that people do and sin thereby—
if he has sinned and has realized his guilt and will restore what he took by robbery or what he got by oppression or the deposit that was committed to him or the lost thing that he found or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt”.
Consider not beginning a business of selling stolen products if you have ties to persons who steal things. This is not at all beneficial for a sincere Christian.
8. Mercenary/Assassin Business
We also have Mercenary/Assassin on our list of businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do.
No matter how you choose to read the Ten Commandments, we should not be complicit in murdering, even worse, for financial purposes. Moreso when Jesus reaffirms what the Old Testament says in Exodus 20.13
“You shall not murder.”
Jesus says in Matthew 5.21-22 that,
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Yes, it appears obvious. Christians shouldn’t work as assassins or mercenaries. However, the temptation may be present for some due to the glamorization of war, the numbness of society to innocent casualties, and the promise of financial gain.
What the Scriptures say cannot be disputed. A Christian should not hold a position like this.
9. Drug Dealing business
The drug Dealing Business is the next on our list of the businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do. It is worthy of note that dealing in illicit substances can be a fast way to make a lot of money, just like becoming a prostitute or an exhibitionist.
However, Christians should refrain from working in this field once more. Not only because it is illegal but because it can draw many people away from God.
There is no doubt about it that the drug dealing business is not good for Christians, take a look at those who use or traffic drugs. It consumes their life completely.
Everything is focused on the upcoming deal, score, or high. Like adherents of a religion, drug users and pushers will do whatever it takes to advance their drug, not minding who they are affected by.
10. S*x Workers/Prostitution
The next on our list of businesses/jobs that a Christian should not do is launching a business that will hire s*x workers/prostitutes.
prostitution is usually referred to as the “oldest profession.” Indeed, women have always used it as a popular means of generating income, even in the days of the Bible.
Prostitution is morally wrong, according to the Bible according to Proverbs 23:27-28 which says,
“For a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit, she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men.”
God forbids prostitution because He understands that it is harmful to both men and women and knowing that aside from the fact that it destroys spirits and souls in a way that results in both bodily and spiritual death, prostitution also destroys marriages, families, and lives.
God wants us to remain blameless and use our bodies as instruments for His benefit and glory.
Hence, you might be on the wrong path as a Christian if your business idea is to launch a business that hires s*x workers/prostitutes.
Yes, it might look lucrative but the truth is that you will be kicking against your faith. There is no doubt, when you engage in this type of business, you inevitably forfeit your relationship with God.
It is contradictory for you to profess Jesus and be among the sx workers or even employ sx workers.
Which Jobs/Businesses Are Appropriate For Christians?
We occasionally believe that Christians should strive for “Christian careers,” such as working in a church or parachurch organization.
Yes, this might be correct, although we may be aware that Christians can work in fields unrelated to the church or the Christian identity, we nonetheless frequently restrict ourselves to “helping” professions.
Christians can work as physicians, nurses, educators, daycare providers, social workers, police officers, or counselors.
While jobs and professions such as businessman, attorney, IT expert, creator, architect, designer of clothing, newscaster, producer for TV, artist, etc these positions are not typically listed as the best careers for Christians. Such a constrictive attitude towards such jobs is not biblical.
Biblically Christians are open to nearly every profession as long as it glorifies the name of the Lord.
In a letter to the Corinthians, in 1 Corinthians 7:17, 20-21 and 24, Paul says
” 17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches
20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.”
Paul also compliments this in his letter to the Colossians in Chapter 3 vs 17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
The summary of it is that Christians can engage in a job that glorifies the name of God.
Conclusion
Your conscience is the best source of guidance, but even here, we must exercise caution since some people have had their consciences burned so deeply that they can no longer even blush when they sin (1 Timothy 4:2).
Others have defended their occupations because they need to support themselves, yet God would undoubtedly reward someone who took a risk and left such a career to live a more moral life.
If your job involves sexual nudity or public intoxication, requires you to lie or cheat for your company, or otherwise makes you uncomfortable morally, you should look for another position. It is just like oil and water, darkness and light are incompatible.
