Christian Tow-Truck Driver With A Dilemma

Yep, that's definitely an improvement. :laugh: That's the strangest post I've read in awhile.

 

I was just thinking... I write web pages, and I am involved with a huge portal solution that helps companies communicate better internally, it makes their operations run smoother, and is open for any company. So, if Anheuser-Busch decided to start using this product, you're saying I'm supposed to feel bad that I'm indirectly aiding the distribution of alcohol? No way, money is money, and if you don't get it, then somebody else will.

 

*I know there were more people that feel this way...but this is the one I picked to quote.*
It is not the beer that makes alcoholics....it is the lack of will power in the alcoholic. Why do we want to blame objects/things for our lack of self control?

If we shouldn't "help" the beer co., then we shouldn't go by the months of the year or days of the week...as they are named for pagan gods.

Now, if you are going to have a loss of self control and drink all the beer on the truck you are towin' .... don't tow the truck.

If you feel it would be a sin for you to tow a beer truck....find another job.

 

I'm obviously biased simply because my business dream is to one day own my own microbrewery, therefore I've studied the beer industry and beer history alot and because of that don't have the whole "beer is evil" mentality. If you would go out and spend some time in a Colorado microbrewery such as Breckenridge Brewery, you'd understand, it's not like a dirty bar, it's very clean, nobody smokes, people don't go there to get sloshed, the food is extremely good, nobody fights, and everybody acts very neighborly. I've yet to encounter any situations in any nice microbreweries that I could even remotely label as pure evil.

With that being said, I'm not a fan of any Budweiser products whatsoever, nor Anheuser-Busch as a company. Even though many of you will look at both and simply see beer and nothing else, there's a huge difference between microbrews and Budweiser. The makers of the cheap beer such as Budweiser do target the people who drink non-stop and do so as cheaply as possible. Bogus yet clever marketing is used to basically brainwash people into thinking these cheap products are superior, yet they are mass made out of rice to keep costs down. So basically alot of people drink alot of cheaply made beer, and alot of stock owners get rich. Microbrews on the other hand, are typically a whole different world. The employees typically don't make much money, the products are generally far superior, people don't usually drink them non-stop in massive quantities, etc., etc., etc. Big difference in the companies, the drinkers, the products, everything. So that's why I have no shame in saying that's my business dream.

One thing I'd like to point out to the people who wish all the beer trucks would break down is that even if you could somehow take away all the commercial beer operations, people who truly have a problem will simply do worse because then they will turn to whiskey and vodka.

Also just food for thought, it's really just very recent in history that this anti-beer attitude has been going on. It really didn't used to be this way at all. It changed right before prohibition, starting in the late 1800's. Even then it didn't start out as being about the beer. Right before this era was when the industrial revolution happened. So basically you had all these people operating these machines for very long hours, it was somewhat of a miserable existence for many people. So, lots of people turned to drinking. People were actually taking "gin breaks" instead of "coffee breaks", they were actually getting sloshed off of hard liquor while on the job. Obviously, alcohol and heavy machinery didn't mix too well, so all these people were getting mangled up. Also, people were so tired after these horrible shifts that they would go straight to the bars after work and just zone out until they had to go to sleep, and unfortunately this often meant that they'd bring their kids along. Well, there were no underage drinking laws back then, so you had these little kids getting sloshed off of hard liquor in the bars. This situation got really bad really quick. So in turn, lots of people, the most vocal/famous of which were a group of Baptist women, thought that they should just ban all alcohol. Never actually crossed their minds that maybe they should ban 6 year olds from drinking whiskey, or ban heavy machinery operators from drinking gin while on the job, or make better working conditions for everyone... they simply went from one extreme to another, then ended up getting prohibition passed. Now, the problem is that these extremist attitudes never actually left completely, especially with many Baptists. So, within about 100 years, we've went from machine operators drinking liquor on the job and it being perfectly acceptable, to tow truck drivers wondering if it's sinful to tow a broken down beer truck, so forgive me if I don't buy into the hype.

It's just funny comparing that to like over in Europe... the best beer in the world is the Trappist ale's, which are brewed by monks for 3 months out of the year so they can sell it and finance God's work uninterrupted for the other 9. They have no shame in this, and those men are much more righteous than I ever will be.

 

GPS, first and foremost, I understand and respect your conviction, and I will be praying for you and your family. raying:

With that being said, IMHO, if you leave the company for this reason you may be viewed as a hypocrite, anyway. Why? Well first and foremost do you refuse to tow someone if you find out they are a bartender, or even a server at a restaurant that serves alcohol? what about cashiers in a liquor store or grocery store? They do more to distribute alcohol to customers than any "beer" truck driver. Where do you draw the line? Are you uncomfortable because they work directly for the company? Ask yourself why that is any worse than actually distributing alcohol to people? If you believe towing these trucks would indirectly aid in the distribution of alcohol than so would towing a bartender, server, cashier, or stocker in any number of businesses. To an unsaved person, even a saved one, your convictions can seem a little inconsistent. This is something I think should factor into your decision either way. When you are so desperately trying to reach your unsaved family it is important to be as consistent as possible in your personal convictions. ( I am by no means suggesting you are not, btw)

On another note, let me ask you this. If you were driving down a deserted highway and you come across an accident that involves a beer truck, would you avoid the situation or only help those in the other vehicle(s) invovled? Say you pulled the truck driver from the truck before it caught fire. Yes, you would be saving his life, but if he continued to work for the company you would still be indirectly aiding in the distribution of alcohol, would you not?

This is just how I view the situation. I personally believe that you could be a great witness if you decided to stay, but you are not me. You must follow your convictions. Without saying, whatever you decide I will continue to pray for you and your family.

 

Towing a vehicle of someone who calls for a lift who does not disclose what type of work is much different than towing a vehicle that advertises that which destroys homes, lives and souls.

You are comparing apples to oranges, FP.

 

If you say so, HBSMN, but I thought I was pretty clear I was giving my opinion. You do have to agree, nor does anybody else. I personally believe it is inconsistent. Either way you are indirectly aiding in the distribution of alcohol. Besides, if you look back over my post, I specifically asked what to do if you found out someone worked for such an establishment. For example, you reach the tow site and the customer, who is dressed in a uniform with a company logo, is making small talk about being late for work, etc., etc. Obviously I do not think it is inconsistent if such information is not known.

 

It seems you already had your mind made up before you ever posted the OP.
If you think it is a sin... don't do it.

That is pretty simple.

For others it is not as easy as that.
Where do you draw the line?

Just make sure you are consistent when you draw the line.
If you draw the line at not helping others distribute alcohol...then you better be ready to go all the way.

This is what they are explaining to you.
When you spend money at a grocery store or convenience station you are indirectly promoting alcohol if they sell it. The dollar you spend may go to restock the shelves....

Draw the line, and stand firm... just be consistent...or it will do more damage to the lost around you.

Being a Christian is not easy...But it is worth it.

 

Talk about incredible, GPS. I very CLEARLY stated in my first sentence that I understand your convictions and respect them. I then went on to CLEARLY state my following statements were MY opinion. IMHO towing a beer truck is the same as towing a bartender and the like, corporate or not. If one is displeasing to God so is the other, hence my QUESTION about consistency. WOW! I'll be sure not to offer or clarify my opinion anymore as I can see you are not interested.To question who I live for and try to please? I live for and try to please God.


I will continue to pray for you and your family.

 

:thumbs: This is basically what I was trying to say......

 

Well, why didn't you say it!! :laugh: :wavey:

I think you did...

Some things in life do not have a black and white answer.
That is why God gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us.

 

:laugh: Well, I thought I did!

Amen to life not being black and white.

 

No hard feelings GPS. I was just a little surprised. :wavey:

I agree that we just do not have a choice in some matters, but we are obligated to follow our convictions in those matters where a choice is available. Good luck in pursuing a new living. You never know this might be the step that brings some of your family to Christ. People tend to notice when we, (Christians), take our convictions seriously enough to take what they would consider a drastic measure. raying: :saint:

 

Who knows what is going on here?
God may have bigger plans for you, and this conviction you feel may be part of a bigger plan. Could there be something deeper than what you have revealed to us? I'm not talking about sin... but a calling of sorts.

Is God calling you out of this for something else?

I read somewhere recently, not sure if it is here at BB, but what I read was... when God closes a door, look for another door to open. The problem is we stand staring at the closed door, and miss the open one.

Look for an opening... It just may be that you are not the one to reach your family...God may be moving you out of the way to bring in someone else.

Or God may be calling you away for you to reach someone else's family...like some in mine that won't respond to me.

Have you ever dreamed of missions?

These are just some random thoughts from a random pastor.

 

I'd been thinking about this goings and since tinytim hit on exactly what I was thinking. As another twist you could run your own business as you think a Christian should. I was just wondering why you don’t start out on your own. You should know where to find your own business clients if nothing else by observations of how this family business formed. You could set goals to save money and start out on your own. I also have heard the banks are climbing all over each other to give out business loans right now with the best interest rates ever. Do you have any collateral whatsoever? Or you may get by with some good credit, and good business plan showing experience and projections of profits. Just a thought.

 

Gregory Perry Sr.,

I see your side of this and understand you have to go by your own convictions. I guess entrepreneurialism is something you have to have a taste for. From my take it might do your brother well to see God take care of His children by you exceeding in fair competition as a testimony to Him, or maybe even in a different area, but I understand you might see that different. I do recall needing a towing service on a Sunday once and getting recordings stating hours between Mon-Sat with an emergency number from other sources after hours. I was going to tell you that when ever I complained about hours and being tired Grandma always said, “Work hard while you’re young, so you don’t have to when you’re old.” That is before I saw how old you were, Just kidding. I believe if you wanted to with planning and God’s help you could repair the credit situation and your concerns about being too costly; but maybe I’m thinking spoiled since I drive around a $60,000 truck that I don’t even need for my cabinet business, I just like it, so I may have wrongly figured a tow truck might be within reach for you. Sorry if I did.

Although I very rarely drink, a rare occasional glass of wine, and I personally feel different about the alcohol conflict, I certainly respect your right to conviction. I guess your brother considers you presenting this conviction as Bible thumping at him; I would suggest that now that he knows how you feel to just let it go as long as he doesn’t bring it up or try to make you tolerate doing it. You have my prayer in the situation.