Acts 19:23-27 “About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: ‘You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business … Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people … He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all … There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited ….”
Ephesus was a great city of commerce, a port-of-entry city of great sophistication and a crossroads of commerce to that part of the world, An equivalent location today would be San Francisco with free-wheeling moral standards.
Principle: Stay away from commerce that creates or contributes to evil causes.
The decision to not participate in godless ventures is clear for the Christian businessman. Christians should not the porn film producers, “Ponzi-scheme” perpetrators, book-cooking accountants, or promoters of harmful products. It is not always clear-cut if the products or services are widely accepted. If they are highly profitable, it becomes even more difficult to deal with.
In May 1999, Walmart’s announced they would not sell a “morning after” abortion drug, Preven, and was applauded by the Christian community. Walmart did so based on the idea that it would not participate in the sale of items, which conflicted with the moral values of Walmart ownership. Walmart is the world’s largest retailer and a leading pharmacy chain. The sales of Preven amounted to an estimated $10 million dollars a year. Planned Parenthood was outraged and ordered its affiliate health insurance company to replace Walmart with another service. Sadly, in 2014 Walmart changed their stance and continues today to stock a full range of life-ending drugs.
One time I refused to participate in a promotional item, which would make alcohol consumption more accessible to young people. It angered the manufacturer who considered me narrow-minded and stupid from a business opportunity standpoint. To me it was a spiritual issue and a parent-of-teenagers issue. From a business standpoint, it resulted in a lost client. From a spiritual standpoint, it was a gain of clear conscience and a matter of obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Every marketing business decision may need to be examined separately. See how the activity lines up with the Word of God, get good counsel from Godly friends, and pray about it. Sometimes it is a marginal call.
Discussion:
1. Do you know of a Christian businessman turning down a business opportunity based on spiritual principles?
2. If you have turned away a piece of business for spiritual reasons, what was the outcome?
