I get a lot of spam. Filters get rid of some, and I quickly delete the rest. Likely, you get a lot of spam, too.

“Joe” led a small Christian ministry that sent out a weekly newsletter with additional updates some days. Some on the mailing list chose to opt in as subscribers; Joe added others as he went along. Essentially, every e-mail address he encountered would be tossed into his mailing list. He would get on the mailing list of a local restaurant and make the restaurant an instant subscriber. While I sympathized with Joe and the cause, I explained this was a major mistake.

I received a question from “Maggie” who ran a small business in a strip mall. The other business owners always provided candy for kids who would stop by in costume.  Maggie was concerned how a Christian in business should respond.

Personally, I choose not to participate in Halloween.  I don’t like the emphasis by some on evil and creepy characters. Paul wrote, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV) Much of how people participate in Halloween activities does not fit this description.  When Halloween comes, I am either out or I keep the lights off to discourage the kids that may pass by.

In today’s economy we all rely on others to perform services as promised. Some of these promises are explicit; others are implied.  Let’s say I have a 7:00 am meeting at Starbucks with a client.  I need gas, so I fill up on the way.  If the gas station fails to fulfill the implied agreement, that is to have gas; then I can miss the meeting and lose my client.  If I make it to Starbucks, I sip imported coffee delivered by trucks on time to staff who arrived on time at Starbucks to get everything going. A slip up at any point in the system will gum up the works.  A business like Starbucks is dependent on many moving parts that need to come together on schedule as planned and committed to by others.

I prefer to serve Christians when possible. We often connect better because we have a common commitment to the Lord. I also do businesses with non-Christians who, at times, violate what I believe to be biblical standards. It raises the question:  where should we draw the line?

At times I have been asked if a Christian should charge interest on a debt. Some have cited the scripture “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.” (Leviticus 25:35-37, ESV) My perspective is that this covers those who cannot afford to pay back a loan and instructs us not lend to someone who cannot repay.  However, as prompted by the Lord, we are to step in and offer help.