Christian Business: Can a Christian Partner with an Unbeliever?

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14 (King James Version)

Although a few Christians are of the same opinion, the majority of them don't find any problem applying 2 Corinthians 6:14 to marriage. It is the Bible text often quoted to bolster opposition to the marriage of Christians with unbelievers.

But I think it's not only in marriage that this verse applies. I believe it also applies to all other relationships, from employer-employee relationship to business partnership.

So, does that mean a Christian in business must not collaborate whatsoever with unbelievers?

Doing so is against the other instructions of the Scriptures.

As believers we are to act as "salt and light" in this decomposing and dim world. How can we do that if we do not collaborate and develop relationships with unbelievers?

I didn't study exegesis (interpretation of a text or a portion of a text) but I suppose the appropriate stress should not be on the word "unbelievers" but on the phrase "unequally yoked" and the rest of the text.

As you will soon comprehend in life, if you haven't realized it yet, there are also appalling Christians.

So, it's also possible that a Christian can be "unequally yoked" with another Christian, a immoral one though.

So, what does "unequally yoked" mean?

The yoke in the Lord's time was a usual everyday device used to combine oxen together for plowing or hauling. The
oxen were matched as closely as possible so the load would be distributed equally. The two animals had to be trained to function together, even walking stride for step. The yoke bound them together for the goal of accomplishing a mission, and without mutual cooperation it could not be done.

A partnership should be two people pulling in common bond toward harmonious goals and sharing the burden uniformly.

Assuming you look at the succeeding verses, you would observe that what's emphasized is - righteousness and unrighteousness can't go as one.

Being "unequally yoked" consequently is when a Christian sins with another person, whether Christian or unbeliever.

I believe a Christian can partner with an unbeliever, provided he doesn't compromise his faith and values.

In this world there are bad Christians and good unbelievers. In a number of places, some Christians are infamous for their bad work principles.
If I were to pick, I would select a good unbeliever over a bad Christian as my partner in my Christian business.

Yet, I would go even farther than that.

If I have a choice, I would search for a good Christian for my business partner!

My "perfect business partner" would be a Christian who sincerely loves God and his neighbors and is, of course, able.

How about you? What's your take on this topic?

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Jose Anajero invites Christians to visit Christian business consultant Terry Dean's Christian Business in the Internet Age. Find Your Purpose. Fulfill God's Plan. Achieve Financial Freedom.

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