Is it acceptable for Christians to have an unchristian job or career?

[ResidentAlien]

I think it's okay for Christians to have jobs or careers that aren't explicitly Christian. It's all about how you live your faith in your daily life, not just the job title you hold.

I agree it would be pretty hard for every Christian to find an occupation that is explicitly Christian; and that wouldn't be what the Lord expects of us anyway. The question I was trying to get at with this post is: Are there limits Christians should maintain. For example, I used the example of Alice Cooper, who claims to be a Christian, yet goes out there and performs his old Satanic act, and all his old Satanic songs, and in his old Satanic get-up. Where's the "all things have become new?" Doing what Cooper does is a far cry from someone working in a car dealership that's owned and run by non-Christians.

 

[SilverFox7]

I think it's okay for Christians to have jobs or careers that aren't explicitly Christian. It's all about how you live your faith in your daily life, not just the job title you hold.

Living out our faith in our daily lives is a great point and summarizes how I've always approached every position I have been blessed to have in my 35+ year career working mainly for secular organizations. I did work for a couple of "Christian" companies, but they were being run by the 2nd generation who did not carry on their parents' Christian foundations for the business.

I like what the apostle Paul has to say on how he worked with various non-Christians spreading the gospel:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

New King James Version

Serving All Men

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the [a]law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without [b]law toward God, but under [c]law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became [d]as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

As Christians, we have been called to serve our God and fellow mankind to promote the spreading of the gospel. Paul's approach towards his work was to "become all things to all men", adapting and tailoring his message and work to meet the needs of his audience. From an organizational perspective, my responsibility is to serve the needs of my company, our customers, our suppliers, and all stakeholders. It's an outward servant-leadership approach following the example of our Lord.

As a Christian, I am committed to working hard, going above and beyond, and setting a good example to glorify God ultimately (I'm not perfect for sure and have made many mistakes at work, too). One of the greatest compliments I received from a colleague was "you really try to live out your faith, and I admire that." That's what it's all about. I want to hear those words from Jesus: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things..." (Matthew 25: 21).

 

[SilverFox7]

I agree it would be pretty hard for every Christian to find an occupation that is explicitly Christian; and that wouldn't be what the Lord expects of us anyway. The question I was trying to get at with this post is: Are there limits Christians should maintain. For example, I used the example of Alice Cooper, who claims to be a Christian, yet goes out there and performs his old Satanic act, and all his old Satanic songs, and in his old Satanic get-up. Where's the "all things have become new?" Doing what Cooper does is a far cry from someone working in a car dealership that's owned and run by non-Christians.

Yes, there are limits, and I've had to unfortunately resign from a couple of positions due to ethical issues that blatantly contradicted the law of Christ.

 

[JaumeJ]

I think it's okay for Christians to have jobs or careers that aren't explicitly Christian. It's all about how you live your faith in your daily life, not just the job title you hold.

So much, very true. We must be present for all, and all things to all people. This falls easily into this question.

 

[hornetguy]

I wouldn't want to be a bartender, but if people just came and drank a little, it wouldn't be as big of an issue,

We should open a Christian bar.... one drink limit. Problem solved.

 

[matteovega]

I think it's okay for Christians to have jobs or careers that aren't explicitly Christian. It's all about how you live your faith in your daily life, not just the job title you hold.

You can bring Christian values like kindness, honesty, and integrity into any job, whether you're working in an office, running a business, or even taking hrd corp claimable courses to advance your career. The important thing is to do your work with a good heart and treat others well. As long as you're not doing something morally wrong or against your beliefs, you can be a positive influence and show your faith through your actions, no matter what your job is. After all, it's about being a good person and helping others, and you can do that in any career!