Christians and business

[Guest]

My best friend's parents just bought a little country store and they sell beer and cigarettes in that store. My best friend's parents are professing Christians and don't think that it is a big deal. They want my best friend to work there and sell the cigarettes when someone comes in. They said that they aren't making people buy those things, they are only giving the customer what the customer wants. THe parents say that they are selling food and some people could over eat and that would be sinful, but they don't have control over what people do with their life. I think that this is a cop out and not excusable. THere is nothing nutritionious about cigarettes and any gains in health on alcohol (Red wine specifically) are not the same in beer. I am not against consumption of alcohol, but it seems as though the parents are just out to make a buck. Any help with this issue?

[Guest]

Personally, I would be uncomforatable selling smokes and beers; however, I do not think partaking of either of them is necessarily sinning.

I have heard of studies saying that you need to drink a keg of beer a day for this or that reason.. which I'm sure is complete nonsense, but beer may not be any worse for us, or better, then red wine - within moderation or course.

For the record, I've never smoked, but do enjoy a good beer!

On a more serious note, it would be best for your friend not to sin against his conscious by selling either item if he has a problem with it. Prayer and fasting until the issue is settled may help...

I've faced similar ethical issues choosing a career/job. It is not always an easy thing to figure out.

[Guest]

I have heard of studies saying that you need to drink a keg of beer a day for this or that reason.. which I'm sure is complete nonsense, but beer may not be any worse for us, or better, then red wine - within moderation or course.

For the record, I've never smoked, but do enjoy a good beer!

Les, I'd sure like to know who these people are that can put away a keg of beer a day. I would have to say that probably exceeds Paul's definition of drunkenness....wouldn't you?

[Guest]

It is sad to see people smoking, considering what is known about the health effects. Very unwise. However, diet colas also have no nutritional value. As for ingesting a harmful substance, I once read of a survey of doctors, expert in nutrition, asking what was the absolute unhealthiest food that could be consumed. They chose bacon. Are diet cokes and bacon sinful?

I have heard the argument made against contraception saying that it is a sin to use sex for pleasure while preventing the natural result. Would not the same argument hold for enjoying a a diet cola with no calories?

Sometimes I hear a sermon where smoking is spoken of as a terrible sin and I just cringe, knowing someone is present who is struggling with the habit, perhaps seeking to know Jesus or what Christianity is about. Or they just have a weakness. I can't recall a sermon about being grossly overweight or a couch potato.

Seems we should just talk about caring for our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and let the spirit take care of the particulars. We tend to be a bit selective in this area. I guess we have a bit of Pharisee in us; we like to confess sins - other people's!

[Guest]

Amen Homer!