Partnering … with the World?

Recently a young man contacted me with a question. He had decided to begin a new business with a non-Christian friend as his partner. He wanted to ask me for my understanding of the following passage.

2 Cor 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. 18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The phrase “unequally yoked” uses the image of pairing two mismatched animals with each other, wrongly thinking that they can work together harmoniously. Because they are different, perhaps even opposite, in strength, temperament, and intelligence, they will fight against each other, pulling the yoke in different directions, and thus failing to plow the field.

Here the New Testament draws out the principle from the Law of Moses, which says, “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together” (Deut 22:10). Imagine that combination, and you get the picture!

So, what is the application for a disciple of Christ who wants to go into business? Let’s ask a “back-door” question here, too. If these scriptures do not speak to Christians being “yoked” with non-Christians in business, to what relationships do they speak?

A few years ago, another friend spoke with me and insisted that this passage did not apply to marriage. He believes that Christians can biblically choose to marry outside the faith. However, if that is the case, let us ask once again, to what relationships do these scriptures speak? It seems safe to conclude that, the closer the proposed relationship, the more strictly one should regard the unequal-yoke prohibition.

Of course, it could be that the prospective non-Christian partner is a decent, moral person in his or her attitudes, relationships, and work ethic. In that situation, what should the Christian do? He or she should make every effort to win that person to Christ! Since the non-Christian already believes in honesty, humility, integrity, fairness, etc., the Christian can use those shared values to build a bridge to the gospel.

So … what factors might be involved in a mixed partnership in business or in marriage? Without prejudging the non-Christian, we can emphasize some key elements in a Christian’s value system, especially as they affect business and work.

~ The Christian’s two primary goals in life are these. He aims to love God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. And he seeks every opportunity to love his neighbor, including his employees, associates, and customers, as he loves himself. He knows that, if one loves the world, he does not love the Father.

1 John 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

~ The Christian is more interested in storing up treasure in heaven than treasure on earth. He knows that, where his treasure is, there his heart is also.

Matt 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

He wants to turn a profit, for sure, but he is determined not to love money, for that love is the root of all kinds of evil.

1 Tim 6:9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

~ The Christian wants to make it clear that he is a Christian businessman and that his business is a Christian business. He follows the scripture that says, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col 3:17).

~ As a Christian businessman, he or she seeks ways to present the gospel through his or her work. He or she may place outreach cards or brochures in a reception area, for example. There may be signs with scriptures on the walls and other indicators of his or her spiritual focus, also.

~The Christian approaches life with a desire to turn the other cheek, give others more than they demand, go a second mile, and share generously without being repaid (Matt 5:38-42). He believes that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). What about his prospective partner?

~ The Christian holds a God-centered, Christ-centered view of work. He believes that his primary, ultimate “boss” is not his earthly master but rather the Lord and that his “paycheck” (reward) will come from heaven. He’s not working first of all for the 5:00 p.m. end of the business day or for the weekend. He’s working for the Lord, and he sees his job as his “vocation” (calling).

Col 3:22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.

The Christian is not out to promote himself or act selfishly in any way. He believes that the greatest person is the servant, that the first shall be last, and that the last shall be first. He desires to serve rather than to be served (Mark 10:42-45).

In disputes with fellow Christians, the follower of Christ may seek a Christian mediator rather than prosecute in court, preferring to suffer harm rather than tell the world that Christians cannot work things out between themselves (1 Cor 6:1-7). This point makes clear the radical difference between the Lord’s way and the way of the world.

Finally, no one can serve two masters. Here are the word of Jesus himself:

Matt 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

So, if you’re considering “getting yoked” with a non-Christian in business or in marriage, win that person to Jesus Christ first! Then, together, you will be yoked with him. As he said:

Matt 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”