unbeliever is a common one. The most often-quoted Scripture is "Do not
be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and
wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with
darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14). Many times, this verse is taken to be
a prohibition against Christians marrying non-Christians. Marriage
would definitely apply here, but there is nothing in the context to
limit it to marriage. All types of "unequal yokes" are
forbidden—marriages, intimate friendships, and, in many instances,
business partnerships.
The command implies that a great difference exists between a believer
and an unbeliever. Generally speaking, the motivations, goals, and
methods of a Christian are incompatible with those of an unbeliever.
Faith changes the character of a person. A Christian's highest
ambition in life is to glorify the Lord Jesus and please Him in all
things; an unbeliever is, at best, indifferent to such goals. If a
Christian's methods and goals in business are identical to the methods
and goals of an unbeliever, the Christian very likely needs to
reevaluate and reconsider his/her priorities.
Second Corinthians 6:14 goes on to ask, "What fellowship can light
have with darkness?" People are said to be "in fellowship" when they
share something. Business partners are united in such a way that they
must share things—what belongs to one also belongs to the other. This
is precisely what is meant by "fellowship." With these principles in
mind, it is best to avoid uniting with unbelievers in business. If a
Christian is truly seeking to honor the Lord through the business,
conflict with the unbelieving business partner is unavoidable. "Can
two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3 KJV).
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