The question of whether making a deal with someone is a sin depends largely on the context, the nature of the deal, and whether it aligns with biblical principles of honesty, integrity, and fairness. From a Christian perspective, engaging in business or personal agreements is not inherently sinful, but the Bible provides clear guidance on how such transactions should be handled to ensure they reflect God’s values.
To explore this, let’s break down what the Bible says about making deals—whether they are contracts, agreements, promises, or transactions—and how Christians are to approach these situations.
What Does the Bible Say About Making Deals?
The Bible doesn’t directly address modern-day contracts or business deals in the way we understand them today. However, it offers a wealth of principles that can be applied to making agreements with others. These principles focus on honesty, fairness, keeping promises, and acting justly in all interactions.
1. Honesty in Dealings
One of the most foundational principles in the Bible is that Christians should be honest and truthful in their dealings with others. Making a deal or entering into an agreement that involves deceit, exaggeration, or dishonesty would be a sin.
- Proverbs 11:1:
“The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.”
In biblical times, merchants used scales to weigh goods. If they used dishonest scales to cheat customers, it was considered sinful. This principle still applies today, meaning that in any deal, whether business or personal, honesty should be at the core. If a deal involves lying, misrepresentation, or manipulation, it goes against God’s commands.
2. Fairness and Justice
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of fairness and justice in any agreement. It’s not just about honesty; it’s also about treating others with respect, ensuring that the deal is equitable, and avoiding exploitation.
- Leviticus 19:13:
“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.” - Deuteronomy 25:13-15:
“Do not have two differing weights in your bag—one heavy, one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house—one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
This passage, along with others, teaches that Christians should not manipulate deals for personal gain at the expense of others. It’s important that agreements be fair to all parties involved and not exploit anyone.
3. Keeping Promises and Oaths
The Bible stresses that Christians should keep their promises and be trustworthy in their agreements. If you make a deal with someone, whether it’s verbal or written, you are expected to honor it. Breaking promises is seen as a failure to demonstrate Christian integrity.
- Matthew 5:37:
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” - Psalm 15:4:
“Who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind.”
Jesus here teaches that Christians should be men and women of their word, letting their yes be yes and their no be no. If you make a deal, you are expected to uphold it unless circumstances change dramatically or if the deal itself was sinful.
4. Avoiding Deceptive Contracts
While the Bible doesn’t specifically mention “contracts” in the modern sense, it speaks against any form of deception or fraud in agreements. Christians should avoid any deal that involves deceit, coercion, or manipulation. Engaging in such practices would clearly be sinful.
- Proverbs 20:23:
“The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.”
If a deal is designed to manipulate or deceive, it goes against God’s desire for integrity. It’s crucial that any agreement entered into reflects the truth and honesty of the parties involved.
5. Avoiding Greed in Business Deals
The Bible also addresses the sin of greed, which can play a role in making deals. Making deals that are driven by selfish ambition, exploitation, or a desire for unjust profit would be sinful.
- Luke 12:15:
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” - 1 Timothy 6:10:
“For the love of money is the root of all evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
When making deals, Christians should avoid being motivated by greed, and instead focus on doing business in a way that reflects generosity, fairness, and a heart for serving others.
When Is Making a Deal a Sin?
While the Bible provides principles that govern how deals should be made, there are certain circumstances when making a deal can be sinful. Here are a few key situations to watch for:
1. When the Deal Involves Dishonesty
Any deal that is rooted in deception, dishonesty, or manipulation is sinful. If you are making a deal and knowingly provide false information or hide key details, this is a form of lying and goes against God’s commands.
- Proverbs 12:22:
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
2. When the Deal Exploits Others
Making a deal that exploits someone—whether through unfair terms, overcharging, or manipulating them for personal gain—is not acceptable in God’s eyes. God calls His people to treat others with fairness and respect, especially in business or financial dealings.
- James 5:4:
“Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you.”
If you enter into a deal that harms others or leaves them at a disadvantage, it is sinful.
3. When the Deal Is Driven by Greed
If you are making a deal with the sole intention of accumulating wealth, power, or material goods at the expense of others, this is sinful. Greed and selfish ambition have no place in a Christian’s dealings.
- Proverbs 15:27:
“The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.”
4. When the Deal Goes Against God’s Commands
Sometimes, making a deal might involve actions that go against God’s moral law. For example, entering into a contract that requires you to engage in immoral behavior (such as fraud, bribery, or exploitation) would be sinful, no matter how beneficial the deal seems in the moment.
- Psalm 101:7:
“No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.”
Any deal that compromises a Christian’s integrity or forces them to violate their values is sinful.
When Is It Not a Sin to Make a Deal?
Not every deal is sinful, however. Here are some situations when making a deal is not sinful:
1. When the Deal Is Honest and Fair
If the deal is based on honesty, fairness, and mutual respect, then it is not sinful. In fact, making fair agreements is encouraged in Scripture. Whether it’s a business deal, a personal arrangement, or a contract, as long as both parties are treated equally, and no one is exploited, there is no sin in making a deal.
2. When the Deal Honors God
Deals that are made with the intention of honoring God, such as providing a fair service or giving someone a just price for goods or services, can bring glory to God. These types of transactions align with Christian principles and are not sinful.
- Colossians 3:23:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
3. When the Deal Promotes Goodness
If the deal promotes justice, goodwill, and the well-being of others, and is rooted in a desire to help and serve, it is not sinful. Christians are encouraged to use their resources and talents for the good of others, and making deals that advance goodness and fairness is encouraged.
- Matthew 7:12:
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”
Conclusion: Is It a Sin to Make a Deal?
In summary, making a deal is not inherently sinful. The key issue is the nature of the deal itself. A deal becomes sinful when it involves dishonesty, deception, exploitation, or is motivated by greed. Christians are called to make deals with integrity, fairness, and honesty, ensuring that they reflect God’s character in all transactions.
As long as the deal is just, honest, and does not compromise biblical principles, it is not sinful. Instead, it can be a way of serving others, providing for one’s family, and building a business or relationship that honors God.
In the end, Christians should always seek to ensure that their dealings reflect God’s truth and love, remembering that honesty and fairness are key to any righteous agreement.