Is it acceptable for Christians to have an unchristian job or career?

I know a woman who worked at a strip club as a bartender accepted Christ. She asked the Lord if she should leave but she felt she should stay. For 5 years after her conversion she stayed and ministered to the young women who worked there until the Lord released her from that place. She remains friends with many of the women who made it out of that industry.

She saw it as a Joseph over Egypt arrangement, where Joseph was given authority over people who were polytheists yet, because of God's mercy, many lives were saved in the time of famine.

Hey there! This is an interesting topic. In my opinion, being Christian doesn't necessarily dictate your profession. It's more about how you conduct yourself in any job or career. You can work in any field without compromising your faith if you maintain your values and integrity. It's about finding a balance between your beliefs and your work life.

Can you be a prostitute? How about drug dealer?

ResidentAlien said:
Can you be a prostitute? How about drug dealer?
The context of Taniyah's commentary implies that being a prostitute or drug dealer are unacceptable vocations as Christians.

Note the "values and integrity" observation...

I like the balance perspective, too...

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

New King James Version

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the [a]law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without [b]law toward God, but under [c]law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became [d]as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

What about Rahab?

Rahab’s most significant contribution to the Bible is her inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. In the book of Matthew, Rahab is mentioned as one of the five women in the lineage of Jesus Christ. The other four women are Tamar, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Rahab is specifically mentioned as the wife of Salmon, and the mother of Boaz.

I believe she was saved by faith???

The context of Taniyah's commentary implies that being a prostitute or drug dealer are unacceptable vocations as Christians.

Taniyah said:


Is this the context you're talking about? She didn't say Christians should choose a job or career based on their faith and values; she said Christians can work in any field so long as they hold true to their values. Read it again. By this logic I can be a pimp so long as I pray for each John and don't rip them off.

The only thing I see implied here is no profession is off limits.

Some examples I can think of are Alice Cooper, who claims to be a Christian but goes onstage and performs some of the most demonic songs and acts imaginable. Another is Brian Welch, who claims to be a Christians but is a member of the metal band KoЯn. He initially left the band but then went back and now claims it's okay to be a Christian in an unchristian profession. And Alan Ritchson of Reacher, a show filled with partial nudity and erotica. And many other celebrities are doing it nowadays.

Can a Christian compartmentalize his or her life into Christian/Work? Under this logic, wouldn't it be acceptable for Christians to participate in any job they wanted? What about Christian prostitute? Christian hit man? Christian drug dealer. I mean, if it's just a job, why not?

I know it can be difficult finding a job or profession that isn't unchristian to some extent; but should extend this to any and every profession out there and then excuse it by saying "it's just my job?"

1 Cor 10~~23All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up.

I am not to judge these people. Many people have to go through experiences(that we disagree with) to get them to a place God wants them. Maybe it was a "bad" experience that brought them to a good place. God can use our bad choices and bad experiences to His advantage.

A believer that teaches loss of salvation or that God elects/predestines people to salvation is doing WAY more damage to their witness for Christ then a believer who works at a gay bar.

Can you be a prostitute? How about drug dealer?

I wouldn't want to be a bartender, but if people just came and drank a little, it wouldn't be as big of an issue,

Going to a special building once a week to sing, pray, listen to a sermon, etc. doesn't really show "the world" anything.