Be Very Careful When Entering Business Relationships

by Bishop Keith A. Butler

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psalm 1:1-3

The Word says that we are not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Why would people go into business with people who don't share their value system, with people who are not born-again? But many Christians do, and they reap the results.

When you go into business with a Christian, you still must operate by God's business principles. You must draw up a contract and get legal representation. You must protect yourself, even with your tongue-talking prayer partner. It is not unusual for me to see a person go into business with somebody else in the church, and when one of them does the other one wrong, they will come running to the church to fix it. Scripture contains principles for conflict resolution, but most of the time both parties won't agree to that.

Now the following recommendation is just my opinion; I can't support it from Scripture. However, after 35 years in ministry, I would not recommend that you go into business with your best friend if you want to stay friends. I also would not recommend that you go into business with your relatives if you want to stay in love with them. Money has a way of bringing out the worst in people. I don't know how many times I've seen best friends go into business, saying that they're sure they can trust each other, and before long, they're ready to kill each other, and the friendship is destroyed-all those years of interactions between their families are gone.

When a business relationship with a family member falls apart, the result will be a family feud with extended family members taking sides and people refusing to talk to someone for years. When one of the family members dies, people will be at the funeral wanting to find resolution when it's too late.

Prayer for Today

Father,
I want to live as a blessed person in all things. I look to your Word and to your faithful messengers for direction, not to those who do not know you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Selah: Think on These Things

• Amos 3:3
• Psalm 84:12