Not long ago I saw a commercial on television with an activist group urging people not to shop at Walmart because they have allegedly donated funds to some organization of homosexuals. Later that same day I received an email from a Christian who urged all “who would truly want to be faithful to God” to never do business with Walmart. Now, I am not defending Walmart and most certainly I am not supporting homosexuality. There will be no queers in Heaven even if they are on a popular television show (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, and I Corinthians 6:9-10). However, one cannot go around and claim someone is an unfaithful Christian because they do business somewhere that supports sin. In fact, I cannot recall any corporation in existence that does not support directly or indirectly some avenue of sin (yes, that includes businesses run by brethren and even “bookstores” that sell “Bible materials”). Let me prove some things for consideration as a couple of points of introduction. Most know that it is sinful to consume alcoholic beverages (Proverbs 20:1, I Thessalonians 5:5-8, I Peter 4:3, etc.). Some do not know that it is sinful to even serve alcohol (Habakkuk 2:15). The point is this, I cannot name a gas station or grocery store that I’ve been in locally that does not serve alcohol. Therefore, if it is sinful to shop at a place that supports homosexuality it is also sinful to shop at a place that supports alcoholism. Where are you going to get your gas or bread if that is true? Those bookstores that are run by our “brethren”, they contain materials written by denominational preachers who have caused the destruction of many souls (II Timothy 2:16-18). If it is sinful to shop at a place that has any dealings with a homosexual group, it would therefore be equally sinful to do business with brethren who sell commentaries written by false teachers. The point is, when you purchase a product or service you are not having fellowship with a company or individual. Could you imagine the questionnaire you have to assemble to shop at a yard sale or online at eBay if buying a product or service constituted supporting the activities a company or individual are involved in? Notice Paul’s inspired instructions: “Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:25-31). In the aforementioned text, Paul authorized brethren to do business in the markets that sold meat that was offered to idols. We know that Christians are not to eat meat offered to idols (Acts 15:28-29). What does that prove? It proves that one can do business in a place that may offer a product or service that aids someone in sinning. Now, if one’s conscience forbids them from doing business with any company, then by all means they have the liberty not to do business with that company. Yet, to forbid others by implying their unfaithful for shopping somewhere, that is going too far. Personal conscience choices are meant to remain personal, not to be bound on others. In Romans 14 inspiration provides liberty for the one who had a weak conscience not to defile their conscience by eating meats (Romans 14:1-3). However, when one would take the choice not to eat meats and make that a matter of faith, there is a problem. The inspired word of God says: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (I Timothy 4:1-5). Let’s be careful not to forbid something based only on our consciences. To not shop somewhere that supports sin would require going out of the world. If it is sinful to do business with a company that supports something sinful you could not do business anywhere. This has already been established. However, does that make it right? Notice this inspired principle: “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” (I Corinthians 5:9-10). The very next verse condemns association with a brother who is in sin, but Paul states the obvious when it comes to those of the world. You could not live on earth and not be around sinners. Carry that principle and you see that you cannot do business at all in this world if you are going to stop trading at places that support sinful activity. I have no doubt that some might struggle with what is written here. However, you cannot be a reasonable person and conclude that shopping somewhere that supports homosexuality is any different than shopping somewhere that sells immodest clothing, alcohol, cigarettes, or any other device of sin. All sins are equal in the eyes of the Almighty (James 2:10). Boycott any business you want to, but do not make that a matter upon which you judge others in the faith (Colossians 2:16-17). |
| Volume VII ~ Issue XVII ~ January 21st, 2007 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent
of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of sins into the
church of Christ (Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and Romans 6:1-6). One must then remain faithful (Rev. 2:10).
of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of sins into the
church of Christ (Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and Romans 6:1-6). One must then remain faithful (Rev. 2:10).
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| Being Cautious Not to go Too Far with Some Things By: Brian A. Yeager |
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| Personal Conscience Choices Cannot Be Matters of Faith |
| You’d Have to Leave the World… |