Are there careers Christians should not pursue?

[guitarintro]

My one year university graduation anniversary is in a few days, but I have yet to find the career I should be pursuing. At the moment, I am working at a call center, totally irrelevant to the Sociology undergraduate I majored in. What is God trying to tell me?

At the moment, there are a few career paths that intrigue me and one of them is Security. I came across this job opportunity online, but the location is at a casino.

What are your thoughts on working in a casino?

 

[CuddlyBear]

My thoughts - if you are security and not engaging in the gambling trade itself at all, you could do it. I do think that some people at your church, if you have one, might have a problem with it and you might have to be prepared for that but as security, I don't see that being a big deal myself.

 

[Calvary_Corps]

I agree with CuddlyBear on this. Just stand by your faith for God always stands beside you.

 

[Autumnleaf]

If you get paid based on people gambing then you are profiting from vice. Don't do it.

 

[BigNorsk]

As far as work, you really can't be responsible for others.

If you for instance have a restaurant and you work to provide good food. It's not your fault if people are overweight or eat too much.

If you are a banker, it's not your fault that people are greedy.

If you cut hair it's not your fault if people are vain about thier looks.

If you are a trainer and help someone get into shape it's not your fault if they just use it to get sex.

If you are a doctor it's not your fault if people abuse their bodies.

If you are a teacher it's not your fault if people refuse to learn or think.

I would think God is telling you to quit spending all your time thinking yourself into troubles and get to work.

 

[sungaunga]

If you get paid based on people gambing then you are profiting from vice. Don't do it.

Amen.

 

[ezeric]

Really its not that there is a necessary 'wrong' or 'right' answer here.
The question is 'does your heart condemn you'.

Basically if you feel/know that its something you shouldn't do (maybe you can't even explain it properly - its something you just 'know) then don't do it.

If, on the other hand, you feel that GOD is bigger than this and can work with you through the situation as you shine your light to others while you work there - then do it with all you got serving your LORD!

I have a christian friend of mine who is an evangelist, but who also has to work 'odd jobs' to get by. Anyway, through some sad events his marriage fell apart when he was in his 50's and had to work as a security job to make ends meet.

His job posting was in a crowded bingo hall and his 'gig' there would last 1/2 a year.
They liked him there, because as a christian he could be trusted.
Anyway, after many weeks he got to know some of the locals that would frequent the bingo hall and they would ask him during his breaks/lunch to 'have a game'.
As a christian he always said "no-thanks".

One month things were tough and he found himself behind in paying his rent.

They again asked him, "have a game with us at the end of your shift".

He was about to say his usual "No," when the LORD spoke to him and said
"Play the next game - one card".

Shocked, and surprised he struggled with what he knew was the LORD prompting him to play. So, he told them "ok, I'll play -this time only".

Well, he won - the big one that night paying his rent to the fullest and a little more for food! He (and everyone else there) was surprised and excited for him, it was truly amazing for this older security guard friend.

So, did it pay off his rent?
Yes!

Did he play again?

No, - that would be a gamble!

-eric

 

[MyRightEye]

As far as work, you really can't be responsible for others.

If you for instance have a restaurant and you work to provide good food. It's not your fault if people are overweight or eat too much.

If you are a banker, it's not your fault that people are greedy.

If you cut hair it's not your fault if people are vain about thier looks.

If you are a trainer and help someone get into shape it's not your fault if they just use it to get sex.

If you are a doctor it's not your fault if people abuse their bodies.

If you are a teacher it's not your fault if people refuse to learn or think.

I would think God is telling you to quit spending all your time thinking yourself into troubles and get to work.

BigNorsk has it right. So long as it is honest work that doesn't require you to commit crime or be dishonest, personally, go ahead and go for it. Certain sales jobs and the like that require you to decieve people to make enough sales to keep the job, I'd say avoid, but if it is honest work, honestly work it regardless of where.

 

[Autumnleaf]

As far as work, you really can't be responsible for others.

If you for instance have a restaurant and you work to provide good food. It's not your fault if people are overweight or eat too much.

If you are a banker, it's not your fault that people are greedy.

If you cut hair it's not your fault if people are vain about thier looks.

If you are a trainer and help someone get into shape it's not your fault if they just use it to get sex.

If you are a doctor it's not your fault if people abuse their bodies.

If you are a teacher it's not your fault if people refuse to learn or think.

I would think God is telling you to quit spending all your time thinking yourself into troubles and get to work.

If you are a drug dealer its not your fault people over dose.

If you are a soldier its not your fault if people die in war.

If you are a casino worker its not your fault people lose their grocery money while gambling to pay your salary.

You don't have to be perfect but you should strive to at least not be part of the problem.

 

[chris_arnet]

I play poker professionally for my sole source of income. I have been since I dropped out of college. It doesn't interfere with my relationship with God in the least.

 

[christianmomof3]

Are there careers Christians should not pursue?

Do not work for a company that is publishing Satanic Bibles.
Don't be a pirate.
Do not become a "hit man".
or a porn star
Don't sell illegal drugs
or work in any other illegal industry.
I am sure there are other careers that Christians should not pursue as well.

My one year university graduation anniversary is in a few days, but I have yet to find the career I should be pursuing. At the moment, I am working at a call center, totally irrelevant to the Sociology undergraduate I majored in. What is God trying to tell me?

Perhaps that we are in a depression and no one can get jobs right now.
Or that Sociology was not a good major if you want to get a job.
Or that you need to pray more about what career to pursue.

At the moment, there are a few career paths that intrigue me and one of them is Security. I came across this job opportunity online, but the location is at a casino.

What are your thoughts on working in a casino?

Pray about it.
I don't think it is a good idea, but you have to follow what the Lord leads you to do.

 

[Peripatetic]

Don't be a pirate.

Is it OK if I root for the Pirates? Never mind... they haven't had a winning season this century.

Seriously though, while working security in a casino might be OK in some ways (ie. preventing criminal activity), I think you might find that it would wear you down. Seeing all the excess... all the "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" (or whatever city) lifestyle, the sad cases who come in and blow their paycheck every week... For me, it would be over-saturation of worldliness.

 

[J1A1H]

Follow God, and he will take you and guide you on your ideal path.

I finished my studies 2 years ago, and was lost. Stuck in a boring job not related to my degree, and before i knew it a great job offering came around. A business project not just allowing me to use my studied knowledge but also a project related to the Lord & and the Bible.

Praying for you.

 

[heron]

The other part of your question... don't get wrapped up in the label of your degree. Life brings a lot of unexpected twists and turns, and one accomplishment leads to the next.

Think about those computer games with floating platforms, where you step off one secure base and leap to the next. If you stay on one that is leading nowhere, eventually you can feel trapped.

Have you ever thought about being a parole officer? Investigator (Private, corporate, educational...)

It is normal that someone with a sociology degree does not fall into a job the same way a physical therapist, x-ray technologist or teacher would. Some degrees have more specific job preparation than others. Don't allow your brain to tell you it's your weakness. It is what it is.

So, what is next?

Take a look at this page USAJOBS - Search Jobs

 

[Life2Christ]

I've always believed a horrible career choice is being a journalist or a blogger who follows celebrities around, (or photographers). They make celebrity's lives a living hell. The hosts on E! or Access Hollywood don't do anything good for anyone.

 

[mont974x4]

unless your job would be to actually commit a sin I see no reason to limit your job options.

 

[salida]

Gambling hurts communities-so its something I couldn't be part of.
http://erlc.com/article/issues-answers-gambling/

 

[DoctorJosh]

Um...I really have to disagree with others on here about working in a casino or gambling. Now, is Jesus you mentor? Would you ever see Jesus in a casino or working in one? Casinos are nothing but legalized theft. It is there to drag gullible people in so they can make someone else rich.
The odds are set against the people.

Do you remember how furious Jesus was when He found out they were Gambling inside the Temple? It wasn't just about being in God's house, it was the fact they whole thing was stealing and that is a sin, but what even made Jesus more angry was they were doing it inside a Temple.

To Gamble is unwise. To work in a casino is supporting those who steal from others. If you are going to live your life for God, avoid any place that Jesus would never work in.

As for why God doesn't do this or that. Well God leaves all choices up to you, from picking your mate to finding a job. God will open doors for you, but you are the one who chooses which door to go through.

I will not mislead you, I will tell you the truth even if you hate me.
I am not here to be liked, I am here to share the Truth and help as many as I can.

 

[heron]

From what I have heard, security at a casino requires non-stop alertness and action, where security at a hospital or manufacturing plant might involve scheduled rounds and watching the screens for unusual activity. Very different.

Compare what you would need to do if someone was breaching security, in each situation. Who are your typical offenders. Would they be armed, irate, lucid, knowledgeable, well-manned.

Someone has to do it... but I would start with a realm you know you can handle as you train for bigger challenges. Every setting could potentially bring some very strange and difficult challenges. In a casino, I would guess you'd run into more people trying to manipulate you, including little old ladies and teens who pretended not to use the machines. More grey areas.

Gambling hurts communities

And there's that. Eventually most of us want to feel loyalty to a cause at work.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Good jobs for Christians would be farmer or cobbler.