Christian Tow-Truck Driver With A Dilemma

Well, I figure you already know that in this board you will get all kinds of replies to your problem (which to me is really not a problem. I think you are giving yourself a problem which really shouldn't be a problem).
But anyway, there is one Scripture I can quote to you:

Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17.

 

So it's not good to help the poor stuck driver of a truck because he happens to be carrying something alcoholic? That really shows Christian concern. Driver, you don't deserve help because you are carrying something I believe to be sinful.

I believe Christ ate supper at Zacceus (sp) house even though He knew exactly what Zacceus was: a thieving tax collector.

My opinion is, that as mature believer's we can come into contact with sinful conduct without sinning ourselves. Now if you are going to be tempted to drink yourself into oblivion if you tow a beer truck, then stay away from it! If not, be the best tow truck driver that beer truck driver has ever seen. It may just open a door to share Christ's love with another. And that my friend is our ultimate calling.

I have a different scripture for you:

Col 3:23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

I think this verse covers towing beer trucks just the same as it does towing anything else.

 

I don't know if you just woke up, or just picking a fight.

Wherever did I say that it is not good to help the driver ?

What I'm saying is that if he in his heart is convicted that he ought not do something then he shouldn't do it because to him it is sin.


Here is the crux of his problem, and what I am replying to:

 

I think you have answered your own question.
It is against your convictions... It wouldn't be against mine, I would see it as helping others... but it is against yours... you have to follow the path Christ has laid out for you...I don't have to answer for you, and you don't have to answer to me...

But I see an underlying problem, if I may,... working for family.

That very seldom works out... you usually don't get respect, you are taken advantage of, and hard feelings are usually inevitable.

As for the towing part, again, if it goes against your convictions, then you have to decide what to do about it. Where do you draw the line... if there is a wreck and the people have been drinking do you refuse?
What about someone breaking down that were on their way to a secular party?
I could name other situations, but you get the idea...
You have to decide where that line is in your life. Then not cross it.
Or else you will be tossed to and fro and others will see you as wishy washy at best, and a hypocrite at worst.

I couldn't drive a beer truck.. .That would be my line.
I would tow... but that is me.

 

Will you tow people's vehicles who consume alcohol?

 

Actually neither Pinoy, just throwing out that perhaps we need to rethink our views of right and wrong occasionally. You're verse and post just happened to be handy. I didn't mean to imply that you were wrong. I happen to agree with what you said in general, but in this instance I think a little deeper interpetation needs to be brought out.

Peter also thought that he should withhold himself from foods and things he considered unclean. It took a direct message from God to convince him that he was wrong. The same in this case, I think that the author of the OP should be better able to articulate why towing a beer truck could possibly be sin to himself, before he refuses to do so an in refusing defies the authority of his boss (even if his boss is his brother in law and a non-Christian). I fully understand why he is uncomfortable in towing a beer truck, but there is a difference in being uncomfortable and in actual sin. We can be uncomfortable with something simply because it is outside the realm of our experience even though we aren't sinning.

If he feels he would be sinning to 'aid in the distribution of alcohol' by towing a beer truck then he shouldn't do so. However, I feel he is also going to need a new line of work because we are instructed to obey those who have authority over us. If his unsaved bil boss, tells him to tow the beer truck, would it not also be sin for him to defy "his master"?

 

He seemed to articulate it pretty well when he said My dilemma is that I feel it would go against my personal convictions and conscience before the Lord to be involved in anything that would aid in the distribution of alcoholic beverages.....and towing their trucks is,in my opinion,definitely doing that....even if indirectly.

I would say if you do not believe you can do it with a good conscience, then ask your brother to not be put on those runs, or find another job. Don't defy him.

 

Okay, mk. My apologies. Been a little too keyed up. Too much coffee..

Luv ya in Christ.:wavey:

 

Pass the coffee my way! I've lost track of time and I'm supposed to be at church already! Debate on without me!

 

The more beer trucks that are broke down, the more beer that is not delivered to the stores and bars to make alcoholics of people.

I say let 'em all break down... and may the machinery that brews that nasty stuff break down too.

 

While I do not care to see beer companies make any more profits, you will have to crawl in a hole to keep from doing business with all the unsaved people of this world. Every business, whether they sell a wholesome product or not, has people who run it or work for it that are not godly people. We have to be in the world, but we don't have to be of it.
If I were to stop doing business with all ungodly people, I would have nowhere to buy groceries, clothes or anything else we need.
But, I understand if you feel that you are sinning by towing a beer truck, maybe you shouldn't do it. There's certainly nothing wrong with that.
Here's a scripture that might help.
1 Corinthians
9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person.
12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person."*

I wonder if Paul would have sold one of his tents to a beer distributor?

 

I doubt that he would have asked.

 

Probably not.

 

I light of scripture I think Pinoy was right on. If a person feels or has the conviction of something being inappropreite and or sinful for them, they are NOT to do it. James and Paul make that abundantly clear. And believers who understand more fully their liberty in CHrist are not to belittle them or make them conform to your understanding. But the contrary, YOU are to encourage them to continue on in their Faith and do likewise WITH them that they do not stumble.

Your example of Peter is a very bad example because God TOLD Peter to do something (eat) and Peter said No. To this man's conviction God has asked him NOT to tow certain things. Now if God change his heart, then God be praised. But if God solitifies his resolve to be unmovable in it, then God be praised. For he is accountable to God for what he does according to his faith.

His boss is not his employer but God and he is accountable FIRST to God THEN to his employer. He has already stated his brother knows his position and views and holds them in contempt (for lack of a better word).

But I agree with you on him needing to find a different line of work. Because if he submits himself to the rule of his employer he is bound to do those things he understands as being sin.


TO the OP:
WHile I feel for your position, you must also remember. You may be the only person that truck driver carring those payloads of beer will ever know. And as you help them out of their situations, you are not aiding the sales of alcohal but giving loving help to those in need - if you give it IN THE NAME OF JESUS. Remember the good sameritan. But go and sin not, listen to the differing counsil here but goand seek the Lord and his guidance on this. Follow him for that is what we are all called to do.

 

You have to do what you feel is right. My only advise would be this.

Make sure you don't do things differently because you are working for a relative. How would you handle it if your employer was just an employer only, nothing more? Just make sure you are not taking advantage of your brother, by expecting him to better understand your position because of your relationship. Make sure you think about the responsibility you have as his employee. Because if you refuse I am sure it would become a big problem for your brother. I am not saying that you are wrong, I am only suggesting to try and make sure you think about it in proper perspective. Also if you do decide you can not perform as the job requires, I strongly suggest that when you tell him you offer you resignation at the same time and explain why. It wouldn't be fair to put your brother in the situation to have to choose between either harming his business or having to fire his brother. Then if he understood how you feel and still wanted you to stay on, it should work out. I respect you for your conviction, I wish you well.

 

These lines aren't entirely easy to draw, so a well-formed conscience becomes the final arbiter.

I also oppose beverage alcohol, but my line of work (I fix stuff) causes me to work for many different people and establishments, although I can be immovable if my consicence calls for it. For instance, I will not do any work at an abortuary or a Planned Parenthood facility, period. If I were to walk in, begin the work, and then realize what kind of place it was, I'd leave immediately. I wouldn't tow their vehicles (assuming they had any), mow their grass, or sell them fire insurance. But most situations do not call for such radical separation. For instance, I will work in "churches" that advocate abortion.

I will not go into a strip joint, but that is because of temptation rather than because I oppose their business. I will work in whorehouses and drug-dealing houses, although I (obviously) don't solicit their patronage.

I will go into a casino to fix stuff, but I would not become a slot machine repairman. If I were a cop, I'd patrol such places as assigned, but wouldn't work for them as a security guard while off-duty.

Although I'd go into a beer joint to fix stuff, I wouldn't become employed as their maintenance man.

I'd tow a beer truck, but I wouldn't become an employee of the beer company in their truck maintenance shop.

That's just me. You would probably differ in some ways. If I had to leave my brother's business over such a decision, I'd try to keep uppermost in my mind that I am following my conscience and not God's moral law. "Elmo, I'm not saying you're wrong and I'm not saying that another Christian couldn't do this with a clear conscience. I'm just saying I can't."

 

To me it is just a truck that is down and a driver who needs help. I have been down that road of judging too harshly, and God rebuked me for it. We can be a good witness to the lost without telling them, "I can't help you" because they drive a booze truck, or work in a bar, or whatever. Jesus went where the lost were no matter what they did.

 

To the OP... I'm sorry, but you can't avoid this. I mean, consider the following:

What if you opened a gas station? Budweiser trucks need gas. Can you really see yourself putting up a sign that says "no Bud trucks allowed"?

What if you opened up a restaurant supply store? People from the local bars would shop at your establishment.

What if you opened up an ice machine place? People would fill their coolers with your ice then put their beer in there as well.

What if you opened a truck wheel manufacturing operation such as Accuride or at least a retail store? Would you really say "sorry, we don't sell to Budweiser trucks".

Even if you stayed where you are and towed individual cars, do you not think you are immune to towing a beer truck driver, or beer company owner, or something along those lines?

My point is that it would be really hard to totally avoid indirectly contributing on some level.