If a believer went into business for himself, say engineering, would it be permissible to have a non-Christian partner in a 50-50 partnership? Would this be an "unequally yoked" partnership?
I have heard many 'for' and 'against' arguments. I have heard 'for' arguments like "Well, we are to be salt and light in this world," and "No where in the New Covenant does it say we can't work with unbelievers...that was the way theocratic Israel had to live under the Old covenant administration." These arguments are coming from Reformed and non-Reformed pastors and teachers.
But what about 2 Corinthians 14-18:
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
"œI will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty."
How far ought we to take this? I am in full agreement with this and I understand it to be prohibiting partnerships with unbelievers. Some say "Well, you wouldn't be able to even work at the company your at now." But isn't there a difference between working FOR an employer (or master) and in working WITH a partner that is opposed to Christ? Like the difference between the Jews working for Pharaoh and working with Pharaoh. Big difference right?
It seems this may very well be one of the most sensitive topics for American Christians considering are wealth of opportunities.
I have heard many 'for' and 'against' arguments. I have heard 'for' arguments like "Well, we are to be salt and light in this world," and "No where in the New Covenant does it say we can't work with unbelievers...that was the way theocratic Israel had to live under the Old covenant administration." These arguments are coming from Reformed and non-Reformed pastors and teachers.
But what about 2 Corinthians 14-18:
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
"œI will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty."
How far ought we to take this? I am in full agreement with this and I understand it to be prohibiting partnerships with unbelievers. Some say "Well, you wouldn't be able to even work at the company your at now." But isn't there a difference between working FOR an employer (or master) and in working WITH a partner that is opposed to Christ? Like the difference between the Jews working for Pharaoh and working with Pharaoh. Big difference right?
It seems this may very well be one of the most sensitive topics for American Christians considering are wealth of opportunities.