Working for Gay Vendor Managers in a Christian Context
Christian teachings on work and conduct emphasize diligence, integrity, and the appropriate use of one's gifts, which can inform how Christians approach professional relationships, including those with vendor managers [1, 2]. The Apostle Paul, for instance, often exhorted believers to live "honestly" or "becomingly" in the eyes of those outside the church, ensuring their conduct did not bring discredit to their Christian profession [2]. This included working diligently to avoid being a burden to others and even to have means to help those in need [2].
The New Testament provides guidance on the relationship between employees and employers, which can be analogously applied to vendor-client relationships. Ephesians 6:5-9, for example, instructs Christian slaves to obey their masters and Christian masters to treat their slaves kindly, framing these interactions within a commitment to the Lord and a desire to build one another up in Christ [5]. This passage suggests that professional interactions should be shaped by Christian principles, regardless of the specific power dynamics involved [5]. Paul's instruction was not an endorsement of slavery itself, but rather a guide for how Christians should conduct themselves within the existing societal structures of their time [5].
Furthermore, the concept of stewardship is central to Christian ethics regarding work. Believers are seen as managers of the gifts entrusted to them by God, and these gifts are to be used to glorify Him [1]. This principle applies to all aspects of life, including professional responsibilities. Augustine, in his writings, discussed the work of monks and the importance of self-sufficiency, noting that those who could work should do so, and that even ministers of the altar had a right to their sustenance if they were truly dispensing sacraments [4]. He also acknowledged that some individuals, upon converting, might have given away their property and thus needed support, but generally, the emphasis was on productive labor [4].
The broader Christian call is to "walk as becomes our Christian profession" [6]. This means that a Christian's conduct in all areas, including business dealings, should reflect their faith. When it comes to working with individuals, including gay vendor managers, Christian principles would emphasize treating all people with respect and integrity, fulfilling contractual obligations, and conducting business ethically, without necessarily endorsing or condemning their personal lifestyle choices [2, 3]. The focus remains on the Christian's own conduct and witness in the workplace [2, 6].
Sources
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:10: 4:10 his great variety of spiritual gifts: See Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:1-31; Eph 4:7-16. • Use (literally manage) them well: Believers are like managers: They have been entrusted by God, their Master, with gifts to be used to glorify him.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 4:12: honestly--in the Old English sense, "becomingly," as becomes your Christian profession; not bringing discredit on it in the eyes of the outer world, as if Christianity led to sloth and poverty (Rom 13:13; Pe1 2:12). them . . . without--outside the Christian Church (Mar 4:11). have lack of nothing--not have to beg from others for the supply of your wants (compare Eph 4:28). So far from needing to beg from others, we ought to work and get the means of supplying the need of others. Freedom from pecuniary embarrassment is to be desired by the ”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 8:24: Wherefore show ye to them, and before the Churches, etc. - Seeing they are persons every way worthy in themselves, and coming to you on such an important occasion, and so highly recommended, receive them affectionately; and let them thus see that the very high character I have given of you is not exaggerated, and that you are as ready in every work of charity as I have stated you to be. Act in this for your honor. 1. The whole of this chapter and the following is occupied in exciting the richer followers of Christ to be liberal to the poorer; the obligation o”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — OF THE WORK OF MONKS. (part 30): have it: if ministers of the altar, dispensers of sacraments, of course it is no arrogating to themselves, but a plain vindicating of a right. 25. If at the least they once had in this world wherewithal they might easily without handiwork sustain this life, which property, when they were converted unto God, they disparted to the needy, then must we both believe their infirmity, and bear with it. For usually such persons, having been, not better brought up, as many think, but what is the truth, more languidly brough”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:5: 6:5-9 The relationship between slaves and masters (and, by analogy, between employees and employers) is to be shaped by their commitment to the Lord and their desire to build one another up in Christ. Christian slaves are to obey their masters, and Christian masters are to treat their slaves kindly (see Col 3:22–4:1). • Paul was not promoting slavery but teaching Christians how to live in it as a fact of life in that culture (for Paul’s treatment of slavery, see Philemon Book Introduction, “Meaning and Message”). 6:5 Obedient service to earthly masters expresses”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:1: This is a general exhortation to walk as becomes our Christian profession. Paul was now a prisoner at Rome; and he was the prisoner of the Lord, or in the Lord, which signifies as much as for the Lord. See of this, Eph 3:1. He mentions this once and again, to show that he was not ashamed of his bonds, well knowing that he suffered not as an evil doer: and likewise to recommend what he wrote to them with the greater tenderness and with some special advantage. It was a doctrine he thought worth suffering for, and therefore surely they should think it worthy their ”