How can I choose a good job or career?
Introduction. The Bible encourages Christians to be industrious and hard working employees. Being lazy or unwilling to provide for one's family is sinful (Eph. 4:28; Col. 3:22-24; 1 Thes. 4:11-12; 2 Thes. 3:10; 1 Tim 5:8). The scriptures do not indicate God has a specific job or career preference for each person and miraculously communicates that to them. However, the Bible does contain many general principles to help a Christian choose a job or career consistent with how God would have faithful Christians live.
Sinful Jobs. Will the job require me to participate in sinful behavior or will my presence endorse sinful behavior? Jobs that involve illegal activities, abortion, alcohol (bottlers, distributors, bars), tobacco production, nightclubs, violent sports, pornography, escort services, lying, gambling, suggestive music/movies/TV programs, immodest dress, and other such things would fall into this category. See these topics in our Bible Questions archives for related scripture references.
Evil Influences. Will the job require me to closely associate with sinful people (who might influence me to also sin) according to 1 Cor. 15:33? Examples include law enforcement (especially undercover work), some used car dealerships, and being a defense attorney who tries to get guilty people acquitted through any means possible. A career in politics, especially at upper levels, could also fall into this category due to corrupting influences.
Interference with Worship. Will the job cause me to regularly miss worship services and violate Heb. 10:23-25? Many restaurant, emergency/hospital jobs, law enforcement, military service, certain professional sports, long-haul trucking, regional sales, and similar jobs fall into this category. If I take the job, will I have to move where there is not a faithful church of God's people that I can worship with?
Corrupting Culture. A particular job might not be inherently sinful, but the overall culture created or tolerated by management could have a corrupting influence on the faithful Christian. For example, management might expect employees to routinely lie to prospective customers, falsify records, and/or be ruthlessly competitive as a way to meet sales quotas. The Christian is to live in the world, but not be of the world (John 17:14-16; Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17).
Sinful Jobs. Will the job require me to participate in sinful behavior or will my presence endorse sinful behavior? Jobs that involve illegal activities, abortion, alcohol (bottlers, distributors, bars), tobacco production, nightclubs, violent sports, pornography, escort services, lying, gambling, suggestive music/movies/TV programs, immodest dress, and other such things would fall into this category. See these topics in our Bible Questions archives for related scripture references.
Evil Influences. Will the job require me to closely associate with sinful people (who might influence me to also sin) according to 1 Cor. 15:33? Examples include law enforcement (especially undercover work), some used car dealerships, and being a defense attorney who tries to get guilty people acquitted through any means possible. A career in politics, especially at upper levels, could also fall into this category due to corrupting influences.
Interference with Worship. Will the job cause me to regularly miss worship services and violate Heb. 10:23-25? Many restaurant, emergency/hospital jobs, law enforcement, military service, certain professional sports, long-haul trucking, regional sales, and similar jobs fall into this category. If I take the job, will I have to move where there is not a faithful church of God's people that I can worship with?
Corrupting Culture. A particular job might not be inherently sinful, but the overall culture created or tolerated by management could have a corrupting influence on the faithful Christian. For example, management might expect employees to routinely lie to prospective customers, falsify records, and/or be ruthlessly competitive as a way to meet sales quotas. The Christian is to live in the world, but not be of the world (John 17:14-16; Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17).