Switching gears:-)

Hi everyone
I was thinking over the threads that have to do with being in the military or a police officer and it got me wondering about other occupations. Some of the occupations that are out there would be impossible for a Christian to do but some others are less clear.What about being a bar tender, working in convenience stores where pornography, alcohol and cigarettes are sold, working as a hair dresser/makeup or fashion stylist that plays into peoples vanity, working as a public school teacher(in some states that mandate the teaching of homosexual relationships as being right/normal) working on movie/television shows or video games design, editing, or even being a public defense attorney. Not saying that any of these occupations are sinful to hold but I do see where they might cause someone to have a difficult time walking with the Lord and doing the job every day. Has anyone else any thoughts on this? Has anyone every held a job and then after becoming a christian or seeking God on the matter felt they had to leave that job? I did work in a casino for a while, but even though it was just the restaurant portion of the casino I still felt strongly that I should not be in that environment so I left that job. Anyone else? I don't want to talk about the police force or the military because those two topics have already been talked about. I was talking with some young adults about this and many of them had admitted that they had not even really thought about the Lord and their walk with Him when it came to their future job choices?

your little sis in Him
Elizabeth

wind_blows wrote:
Some of the occupations that are out there would be impossible for a Christian to do but some others are less clear. What about .....working as a public school teacher(in some states that mandate the teaching of homosexual relationships as being right/normal)

I am a public high school teacher and I do not know of any schools that [i]mandate the teaching of homosexual relationships as being right/normal[/i] and I live in the buckle of the bible belt! I'm not saying that they are not out there, but I do not know of them. I do know of a school in a local district that allows the students to have a "gay pride day" but it has nothing to do with [b]teaching[/b] that homosexuality is a correct lifestyle.

I do not go along with the gay lifestyle but I don't condemn them to hell either for being gay. I know two lesbians; do we hang out? No, we don't but we usually sit together when we run into each other (my son plays in a band and usually in a bar, so it's if I go there). I've had gay students who have talked to me and they know how I feel and yet they don't feel threatened (does that mean I too am bound for hell? Waltern don't answer that!! LOL Just kidding!). As of yet, I do not find teaching a hardship Christian wise, the only hardship is all the paperwork teachers have to do!

Am I right or wrong? I do not know but I would rather be found guilty of loving too much than have people afraid to come around me for hearing a hell fire and brimstone sermon each time. I do not consider myself in any way, shape or form a fundamentalist so before you throw a bunch of Scriptures at me; you should know that I know exactly what the Bible says [b]and I believe what it says.[/b]

However our interpretation of how to execute the Scriptures to a lost and dying world differ tremendously.

PS: Remember this thread is about employment not about homosexuality, I was just answering wind_blows questions!

Hi
Thanks for your response Lysa. I had read a news article that in California they are using a curriculum that teaching the acceptance of homosexuality. That is why I was thinking about that would be hard for someone if they were a christian if they had to teach that curriculum. I may have misunderstood the article though, I do know parents were not allowed to have their children opt out of the instruction so I assumed the teachers "had to" teach it:-)

Anyway thanks for you post. Any other jobs that you have done that you feel you would have a difficult time doing now?(unless you have always been a teacher:-)I have a friend who is a bar tender and he came to the Lord a few years ago. I asked him if it ever bothered him serving drinks to people who are getting intoxicated and being in the bar environment. He said that he did not really ever think about it, he did say that as a bar tender he can cut people off if he thinks they are to drunk already and he has done that. He admitted that things can get pretty crazy though and there are times when the way woman dress can be an issue for him. Anyone else have any thoughts?????

your little sis in Him
Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth,

When I read your post I wondered what the options the early Christians had, many of whom were salves. Surely, many of the masters were not Christians. They must have been required to do things they did not adhere to or support, but they could not quit their jobs and go elsewhere.

Many Christians now days have families they must support and they do not have the luxury of changing jobs. Jobs are practically impossible to find. Anyplace you work is going to be a worldly place, even if they do not sell 'magazines & beer.'

The employees are not required to read the magazines or drink the beer. As Christians we should not be judging anyone who is buying them, either. How do you know but that it may be the last they ever buy?

Anyway, those are my thoughts,
white stone

Hi white stone

I totally understand that some people have jobs and can't just up and quit I was not saying anyone should do that. I was talking about personal conviction that some may have had about their jobs at one time or another.For me I left my job because I was required to wear a very revealing uniform. After I became a christian I felt convicted that I had to find a new job that did not ask me to go against what I knew the Lord was calling me to, modesty.

Some of the young men in our group thought it was hypocritical for people to be telling them not to spend their time playing violent video games or watching movies and yet there are professing Christians who work for a living making these games and movies. I do think this particular young man probably had an alter motive in his question because he wanted to play the games, but he does have a point. It does seem kind of like someone saying do as I say not as I do?

You bring up a good point about many earlier Christians being slaves, I wonder how many were willing to receive punishment or even death so that they would not violate what they knew would be against the Lord. I am sure there were many who loved the Lord so much that they were willing to suffer what ever their masters inflicted upon them to keep from sinning.

Thanks for sharing:-)

your little sis in Him
Elizabeth

Edit: Just wondering do you think that there are any kinds of jobs that as a Christian would should keep from doing??

I have a pretty good story on this...

When I was first saved... I didn't know any true Christians, all my 'church' friends were worldly and carnal, and thought I had lost my mind when I started to get serious about God.

I was working at Target, early morning shifts, from about 5am to 3pm. The employees there would play secular rap music over the radio intercom in the store from 5am to 8am. I countered this by bringing in a mp3 player and listened to sermons.

But for some reason my supervisor said mp3 players are not allowed, that it was a safety hazard. So I was forced to listen to music about sex, drugs, etc. I told God, if I stay here, I'm going to die spiritually.

I quit not long after, and was jobless. My mother was concerned because I had to provide for myself, but I wasn't really concerned. I prayed and asked God for a job, and threw a couple applications online. Somehow Wachovia (bank) called me for an interview. I went in for the assessment session, and had 3 tries to pass 1800 fields per hour data entry test. I failed 3x, but the supervisor whispered to me to try 1 more time.

I passed. I make 2x as much as when I worked at Target. Now I've been working at this job for 3 years, and I listen to sermons all night while working from 5:30pm to close.

God watches out for the spiritual well-being of His children. We just walk out in faith, and trust in His providence; and He takes care of the rest.

Hi IWantAnguish

What an awesome testimony! God is so faithful to provide all our needs. There are times when we have to step out in faith and just trust Him in all things. Thanks for sharing:-)

your little sis in Him
Elizabeth

Lysa,
Why be so defensive? What's the problem?

It's a basic question.

I work from home as a childminder, or babysitter if you like.

I have been doing so for about 17 years, and I'm dependant upon God for my income.
That is, either He brings people, or either He doesn't.

As it tells us in 1 Corinthians 10v31
'Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.'

I know of a girl, who after she became a Christian, gave up her job of selling tobacco and alcohol in a supermarket.

I myself have turned down jobs that would compromise my convictions.

If you have no conviction in the job you do, then thank God for that.

If you do, then the ball is in your court.

enid wrote:
Lysa,
Why be so defensive? What's the problem?

(edited to add)

I myself have turned down jobs that would compromise my convictions.

If you have no conviction in the job you do, then thank God for that.

When I first was converted I worked in a bar and we usually always partied every night after work and I did pray for another job and God gave me another even though I went on the day they didn't take applications and ended up giving it to the wrong person and still got hired... now that's God!

I thoroughly agree and love the verse you brought forth:

[i]'Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.'[/i]
1 Corinthians 10v31

And you get an "AMEN" from my corner!

God bless you Enid