Question:

47.1—A fellow Christian co-worker asked me, “How can I justify working where our CEO is a lesbian as well as several of the rest of the staff?”

47.1—We are thankful for this question, because it is a question that many sincere Christians (especially young people) have. I would like to say first of all that I don’t think that you go to work because you want to be linked with unbelievers, but you go to work to earn a living to provide for your household as 1 Timothy 5:8 tells us to do: “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 

Even if you were in the very difficult position of being a slave (as many of the early Christians were) the Scriptures tell us to “Abide in the same calling wherein [we are] called” (1 Corinthians 7:20). The Lord has placed you in your job to live for Him. A number of Scriptures give instructions to those who serve in the workplace. Titus 2:9,10 says to: “Be subject to their own masters, to make themselves acceptable in everything; not gainsaying; not robbing their masters, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the teaching which is of our Saviour God in all things” (J. N. D. translation.)

However, it is important to realize that it would not be right to be a partner in a business with an unbeliever, because 2 Corinthians 6:14 instructs us: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

Your “fellow Christian co-worker” is struggling with justifying working for “such a liberal company,” and some may use 1 Corinthians 8:10,13 to advise you to leave the company. “For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols… Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” It is true that there are some jobs that you may find you can no longer do with a clear conscience before the Lord, like being a “DJ” in a hard rock radio station or selling liquor, but 1 Corinthians 8:10,13 is referring to a religious association, not a work related situation. We should indeed be sensitive to our fellow believers’ consciences, but even though Christians are in the world, they are not of the world, but are ambassadors for Christ to the world (see 2 Corinthians 5:20). So, as long as you can do your job with a clear conscience that you are not dishonoring the Lord, “Do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23,24).