Question: As a Christian, is it okay to go into business? Would this not be a value of this world? Perhaps it's dependent upon the reason for business.
Answer: Greetings and thank you for your question.
I think the first thing to note is when people ask the kind of question you ask is, what they're asking is "Is there anything inherently sinful in going into business?" The answer is "it depends." It depends on: (1) the kind of business one enters into, and (2) does engaging in this business entail anything sinful? Without further detail on the kind of business you're referring to, I can't really answer the first question. For example, if the business is pornography or some other kind of illegal activity, then the answer is quite simple: No, you cannot engage in that kind of business as a Christian. Becoming a Christian entails a break from the former things one once did as an unbeliever. Consider the apostle Peter's comments to his readers in 1 Peter 4:1-3:
[1] Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, [2] that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. [3] For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. (1 Peter 4:1-3 NKJV)
As a Christian, we are to "no longer...live the rest of [our] time in the flesh." Furthermore, "we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles [i.e., sinners]." So, anything that was considered as sin before we came to Christ is off limits after coming to Christ.
That brings us to the second question. Assuming the kind of business we're talking about is either acceptable or neutral when it comes to sin (which would cover most legal business activities), then as long as we don't have to actually commit sin to move the business along, we should be fine. For example, I used to work in the IT industry for a number of years before becoming a pastor. There's nothing wrong with working in the IT industry. Now, if my superiors wanted me to perform activities that were sinful (e.g., commit or perpetuate fraud, cut corners, or some other unethical activity), then I must take a stand and say, "No." This is what John the Baptist said to those who came to him for baptism:
[12] Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" [13] And he said to them, "Collect no more than what is appointed for you." [14] Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages." (Luke 3:12-14 NKJV)
Note carefully what John says. Being a tax collector (which was seen by Jews as a traitorous profession) was not inherently sinful. John says to the tax collectors "Collect no more than what is appointed for you." Similarly, being a soldier was not inherently sinful as John says, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely." So, clearly one can engage in secular activities and still be a Christian.
What's the alternative? The alternative is to create a false dichotomy between the "sacred" and the "secular." This is what occurred in medieval times when holy orders and the priesthood was seen as a "sure path" to heaven. The Protestant Reformation restored a proper balance with the doctrine of vocation. Work is good. Work that benefits society as a whole is good. Work that benefits your neighbor is good. Work that can be done to the glory of God (whether that's as a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker) is good. Note what the apostle Paul says in Colossians 3:23-24: [23] And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV). Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 10:31: [31] Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV).
So, if you can go into business and do your work to the glory of God, and as long as your business isn't either inherently sinful or requires you to sin, then you can engage in that business with a clear conscience.
I hope this helps.
