What Jobs/Places of Employment Should a Believer AVOID?

[righteousdude2]

The thread titled, "Am I in Sin" caused me to ponder what other jobs in this world should a born-again, church going believer avoid [like the plague], in order to not be directly or indirectly supporting sin?

I often thought that working in any form of the movie industry from star, to grip, to make up, to stage hand, to the cameraman, to the screen-writer, to a producer, to the director, to caterer, to the theater owner, to an employee at the theater, to advertisers should all be avoided especially when the film or show they have a hand in is filled with foul language, nudity, violence, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, etc.

However, if a believer were to avoid these jobs, there would be a lot fewer opportunities to a person to earn a decent living.

So, what jobs and careers do you feel are questionable and should be avoided in order to have clean hands before God??? Is there any truth in the saying, "Guilty by association???"

 

[RLBosley]

First 4 that come to mind are...

Anything to do with the sex industry (stripclubs, pornography etc),
Philosopher (in the worldly, humanist tradition),
Bartender (or anything else related to a bar),
Military Chaplain (they are forced to be "tolerant" as the world defines it, and compromise the faith)

JMHO

In all of this however we must remember what Paul said:

I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 1 Cor 5:9-10

While we shouldn't intentionally "company" with the lost, we can't avoid them entirely because that would require us to go out of the world.

 

[Wherever You Go]

I think the list is going to be a little bit different for each individual believer. I think you have to take your circumstances into account and your beliefs (your understanding of what the Bible says and means), and place it before the Lord to direct you.

For instance, is working in a grocery store wrong? What if the grocery store sells alcohol and tobacco? What if they require you to check people out who are buying alcohol, tobacco, and "soft" porn materials (ie, tabloids, romance novels, fashion magazines, etc.)? What if they require you to sell lottery tickets?

What if you are out of work and are literally looking everywhere, and someone offers you a job in a grocery store, or a gas station? You would rather not work there because of the sinful items sold there, but you have a family to support and you are desperate? Should you take the job? I don't think I can say definitely one way or the other for you. I think you have to make that call yourself with divine guidance.

Something like working at a sports stadium might be perfectly fine for one believer, but a source of temptation for another.

We could take things to such extremes that a person might say that they can not drive a truck for Walmart, because the truck they drive might be carrying beer. Another believer might drive truck for Walmart and have no qualms about it. But that same believer who has no problem driving for Walmart, might not believe it is right to drive truck for Budweiser.

So I think you have to take a lot of things case by case, and with a lot of prayer and discernment, which comes from God. :saint:

 

[RLBosley]

I think the list is going to be a little bit different for each individual believer. I think you have to take your circumstances into account and your beliefs (your understanding of what the Bible says and means), and place it before the Lord to direct you.

For instance, is working in a grocery store wrong? What if the grocery store sells alcohol and tobacco? What if they require you to check people out who are buying alcohol, tobacco, and "soft" porn materials (ie, tabloids, romance novels, fashion magazines, etc.)? What if they require you to sell lottery tickets?

What if you are out of work and are literally looking everywhere, and someone offers you a job in a grocery store, or a gas station? You would rather not work there because of the sinful items sold there, but you have a family to support and you are desperate? Should you take the job? I don't think I can say definitely one way or the other for you. I think you have to make that call yourself with divine guidance.

Something like working at a sports stadium might be perfectly fine for one believer, but a source of temptation for another.

We could take things to such extremes that a person might say that they can not drive a truck for Walmart, because the truck they drive might be carrying beer. Another believer might drive truck for Walmart and have no qualms about it. But that same believer who has no problem driving for Walmart, might not believe it is right to drive truck for Budweiser.

So I think you have to take a lot of things case by case, and with a lot of prayer and discernment, which comes from God. :saint:

That too :thumbsup:

 

[saturneptune]

I think the list is going to be a little bit different for each individual believer. I think you have to take your circumstances into account and your beliefs (your understanding of what the Bible says and means), and place it before the Lord to direct you.

For instance, is working in a grocery store wrong? What if the grocery store sells alcohol and tobacco? What if they require you to check people out who are buying alcohol, tobacco, and "soft" porn materials (ie, tabloids, romance novels, fashion magazines, etc.)? What if they require you to sell lottery tickets?

What if you are out of work and are literally looking everywhere, and someone offers you a job in a grocery store, or a gas station? You would rather not work there because of the sinful items sold there, but you have a family to support and you are desperate? Should you take the job? I don't think I can say definitely one way or the other for you. I think you have to make that call yourself with divine guidance.

Something like working at a sports stadium might be perfectly fine for one believer, but a source of temptation for another.

We could take things to such extremes that a person might say that they can not drive a truck for Walmart, because the truck they drive might be carrying beer. Another believer might drive truck for Walmart and have no qualms about it. But that same believer who has no problem driving for Walmart, might not believe it is right to drive truck for Budweiser.

So I think you have to take a lot of things case by case, and with a lot of prayer and discernment, which comes from God. :saint:

That is very easy to answer, support of my family would come first, and God would provide another job in time.

 

[saturneptune]

The thread titled, "Am I in Sin" caused me to ponder what other jobs in this world should a born-again, church going believer avoid [like the plague], in order to not be directly or indirectly supporting sin?

I often thought that working in any form of the movie industry from star, to grip, to make up, to stage hand, to the cameraman, to the screen-writer, to a producer, to the director, to caterer, to the theater owner, to an employee at the theater, to advertisers should all be avoided especially when the film or show they have a hand in is filled with foul language, nudity, violence, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, etc.

However, if a believer were to avoid these jobs, there would be a lot fewer opportunities to a person to earn a decent living.

So, what jobs and careers do you feel are questionable and should be avoided in order to have clean hands before God??? Is there any truth in the saying, "Guilty by association???"

Here are some job you might want to avoid

Skin diver for Rotor Rooter
Elephant circumsizer for Barnum and Baileys Circus, pay is bad but the tips are big
Stunt man for X rated movies
Television evangelist
Faith healer
Working in a factory that manufactures holy water for the RCC
Open a stand at a flea market that sells splinters of wood from the cross
Fill condom machines in priests bathrooms
Drive a Budwiser delivery truck to the next SBC convention
Make a film of Baptist Pastors Gone Wild
Recruit Baptist Pastors into the Jenny Craig program

 

[righteousdude2]

You R....

Here are some job you might want to avoid

Skin diver for Rotor Rooter
Elephant circumsizer for Barnum and Baileys Circus, pay is bad but the tips are big
Stunt man for X rated movies
Television evangelist
Faith healer
Working in a factory that manufactures holy water for the RCC
Open a stand at a flea market that sells splinters of wood from the cross
Fill condom machines in priests bathrooms
Drive a Budwiser delivery truck to the next SBC convention
Make a film of Baptist Pastors Gone Wild
Recruit Baptist Pastors into the Jenny Craig program

....just wickedly bad :smilewinkgrin:

 

[go2church]

Sure there are, but I think the obvious choices are well...obvious. What about jobs that are not immoral in nature? Some could never work as a lifeguard with mixed swimming, others couldn't imagine serving in the military, some would find being an elected official ner impossible. In places where it is not a moral choice I say let your conscience as guided by the Holy Spirit be your measure.

 

[plain_n_simple]

Long term Politician(if you want to remain honest)

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Divorce lawyer

 

[Deacon]

Oooooh Oooooh I got one.....

Any profession that works weekends!

Some pointed fingers years back because I was in the medical profession working every-other-weekend.

As things progressed over the years I've been able to eliminate that pesky weekend routine.


Rob

 

[Wherever You Go]

More professions work Sundays than you may realize, and people do have to work on Sundays to keep things moving.

Some that MUST work Sundays:

First responders
Hospital staff
Farmers (especially dairy and livestock farmers)
Sailors
Military personnel
Oilfield workers
Electrical plant operators (and certain other public works sector)


Others could conceivably shut down, but do you really want all the gas stations, stores and restaurants to shut down on Sunday?

If you are hardline about not working on Sunday, then I better not catch you stopping for gas, a bite to eat, or the store on Sunday. Maybe some of you follow that rule, but most Baptists I know are not against going to a restaurant right after church. . . .

Don't forget, pastors work on Sunday.

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

Uh....yeah...!

Here are some job you might want to avoid

Skin diver for Rotor Rooter
Elephant circumsizer for Barnum and Baileys Circus, pay is bad but the tips are big
Stunt man for X rated movies
Television evangelist
Faith healer
Working in a factory that manufactures holy water for the RCC
Open a stand at a flea market that sells splinters of wood from the cross
Fill condom machines in priests bathrooms
Drive a Budwiser delivery truck to the next SBC convention
Make a film of Baptist Pastors Gone Wild
Recruit Baptist Pastors into the Jenny Craig program

Brother....you have a VERY twisted mind!:laugh: :thumbsup:No more late nite TV for you!:tongue3:

Bro.Greg:saint:

 

[Oldtimer]

The thread titled, "Am I in Sin" caused me to ponder what other jobs in this world should a born-again, church going believer avoid [like the plague], in order to not be directly or indirectly supporting sin?

Any job of any type, where the Holy Spirit pricks his/her heart that it is wrong. Just one example, where any "born-again, church going believer should avoid [like the plague]". -- Any job, from mopping floors to assisting with procedures, in an abortion clinic.

I often thought that working in any form of the movie industry from star, to grip, to make up, to stage hand, to the cameraman, to the screen-writer, to a producer, to the director, to caterer, to the theater owner, to an employee at the theater, to advertisers should all be avoided especially when the film or show they have a hand in is filled with foul language, nudity, violence, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, etc.

Anything, where if we could, we would not invite our Saviour to physically sit or work beside us.

However, if a believer were to avoid these jobs, there would be a lot fewer opportunities to a person to earn a decent living.

Like the term "decent living". I know you mean adquate wage. However, the first thought that crossed my mind is how the living could be decent if the fruit of a job promotes the very things we are asked to forsake in our lives?

So, what jobs and careers do you feel are questionable and should be avoided in order to have clean hands before God??? Is there any truth in the saying, "Guilty by association???"

Any job, in any industry, that allows satan to take the steering wheel and tries to put God in the backseat. Or, worse in the trunk. Any job, where a professing Christian has to compromise their witness to put money in their pockets. Often, this becomes a personal decision for a specific job. For example, a Christian lawyer has to make a choice, with regards to "ethics" when applying for employment at a law firm. A Christian carpenter's job with a construction company -- honest contractor or a shady one.

One of the best illustrations that I've seen personally of your "guilty by association", I met a number of years ago. This fellow and I were members of a Research Triangle computer users group. We'd meet monthly. Although he was a data processing manager, his employer was a constant source of embarrassment for him. When asked where he worked, he frequently gave the initials of his employer rather than using the actual company name.

I sometimes felt sorry for him, as he seemed to be a decent fellow. Someone who worked for a company that made "adult" bedroom toys and products. Over the years, lost track of him. Hope that he eventually decided to find employment where he wouldn't be "guilty by association". He knew he was guilty because of his reluctance to say the name of his employer. He knew he had other employment choices. This was back in the early 90's when times were much better.

 

[Thomas Helwys]

Here are some job you might want to avoid

Skin diver for Rotor Rooter
Elephant circumsizer for Barnum and Baileys Circus, pay is bad but the tips are big
Stunt man for X rated movies
Television evangelist
Faith healer
Working in a factory that manufactures holy water for the RCC
Open a stand at a flea market that sells splinters of wood from the cross
Fill condom machines in priests bathrooms
Drive a Budwiser delivery truck to the next SBC convention
Make a film of Baptist Pastors Gone Wild
Recruit Baptist Pastors into the Jenny Craig program

:laugh: :laugh:

 

[Wherever You Go]

One of my rules of thumb is that I would not work for any company if I did not agree with the primary product or service they provided.. Walmart-- generally provides general merchandise-- ok. A pub generally sells beer. Not ok. Even though they might also sell pretzels.

 

[righteousdude2]

Good point....

More professions work Sundays than you may realize, and people do have to work on Sundays to keep things moving.

Some that MUST work Sundays:

First responders
Hospital staff
Farmers (especially dairy and livestock farmers)
Sailors
Military personnel
Oilfield workers
Electrical plant operators (and certain other public works sector)


Others could conceivably shut down, but do you really want all the gas stations, stores and restaurants to shut down on Sunday?

If you are hardline about not working on Sunday, then I better not catch you stopping for gas, a bite to eat, or the store on Sunday. Maybe some of you follow that rule, but most Baptists I know are not against going to a restaurant right after church. . . .

Don't forget, pastors work on Sunday.

...and a great big WELCOME to the board! :type:

 

[Wherever You Go]

...and a great big WELCOME to the board! :type:

Thank you, Dude! :wavey:

 

[Salty]

First 4 that come to mind are...
...Military Chaplain (they are forced to be "tolerant" as the world defines it, and compromise the faith) ...

In IMHO I contend you are incorrect.

As far as being tolerant - for example - they can still preach against h0mosexuality. They are NOT required to compromise the faith. For example, a Baptist Chaplain would not be required to give last rites to a Catholic GI.
Let me give you an excellent example. I met a Baptist Chaplain over in Germany. He was the only chaplain at certain small base. Since he was closed communion, I asked him how he handled communion ( most chapels do it the first Sunday of the Month). He told me that since they are so far from other bases, he thought it was nice to have a guest speaker once a month. It always happened to be the first Sunday of the month. He told me no one ever caught on!

You may be referring to Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt. Reports stated he was court Martial for praying. That was only part of the story. He was asked to give a non-secretion prayer at a non-religious event. In spite of the instructions given by his commander, the chaplain still prayed in the name of Jesus. He was court martial for dis-obeying a direct (legal) order. He was NOT required to pray at the event. He could have graciously bowed out. In a chapel service, there are no restrictions on how he prays. I have been asked to pray at secular events, I make it clear, I only pray in the name of Jesus Christ - if the organizer objects - I will not give the invocation.

Actually being a military chaplain is an excellent choice, should the Lord call you to that ministry.

 

[Yeshua1]

The thread titled, "Am I in Sin" caused me to ponder what other jobs in this world should a born-again, church going believer avoid [like the plague], in order to not be directly or indirectly supporting sin?

I often thought that working in any form of the movie industry from star, to grip, to make up, to stage hand, to the cameraman, to the screen-writer, to a producer, to the director, to caterer, to the theater owner, to an employee at the theater, to advertisers should all be avoided especially when the film or show they have a hand in is filled with foul language, nudity, violence, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, etc.

However, if a believer were to avoid these jobs, there would be a lot fewer opportunities to a person to earn a decent living.

So, what jobs and careers do you feel are questionable and should be avoided in order to have clean hands before God??? Is there any truth in the saying, "Guilty by association???"

We are to blame for much of the problems with movies that we see profduced, as in the "olden times" the church had a morals code enforced on content of the movies, and we actually had christians involved in writting/acting/directing/producing!

We decided though that movies were evil, and pulled out of the industry, and darkness came in behind us!


thank God some have decided to go back into hollywood and try to bring light into the present darkness!