Although the most public and obvious activity of the Business Breakthrough (BB) Ministry comprises the high-profile dinners with world-class speakers such as Dr. A.R. Bernard and Dr. Phil Pringle, there is another side that is much quieter and less dramatic, but in no way less important. That is the BB mentoring and counseling arm, where experienced Christian business and professional people advise and help people within City Harvest Church with problems and questions they face while trying to run a business or professional practice out there in the world. There can be spiritual issues, practical issues, issues of ethics and morality, and a whole raft of often difficult and perplexing areas of concern.

A good example happened late last year, and it all started when Business Breakthrough co-founder John Gagliardi received an intriguing email from prominent businesswoman Nanz Chong-Komo, award-winning founder and Managing Director of the famous "ONE.99shop" chain of stores.

The issue related to the relationship between Christians and non-Christians in business, and whether they should be "yoked" together.

Because of the frequency that this particular issue arises, we have decided to publish the exchange of emails between Nanz and John, complete and unedited, so our readers can sense the moving of God in the way the problem was handled.

For Nanz, there are some areas of privacy involved, and we thank her for her permission to use the emails to help reach out to other Christians facing similar issues.


Nanz's 1st Email to John G.

----- Original Message -----

From: Nanz Chong

To: John Gagliardi

Subject: Greetings! Need your advice.

Dear Brother John Gagliardi,

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus.

My name is Nanz Chong, and I am currently worshipping in City Harvest Church. I've heard you speak on 2 separate occasions. First at Shangri-La Hotel for a Business Breakthrough seminar, and then also at Suntec City for a Market Place Convention. I thank the Lord Jesus for you, as your speeches have truly blessed me!

I've founded a retail business in Singapore call 'ONE.99shop'. It is a store where all things are sold at a fixed price of $1.99. The business has since expanded into 12 branches island-wide, and two new concept shops, U-Neek and Bubble Bags, are currently being developed. All this could not have taken place without the blessings of the Lord!

Brother John, I need your advice over some questions that I have been praying about.

With the success of my business, the chairman of an MNC in Kuala Lumpur has expressed interest in investing in my company. On my side, I am prepared to offer a 20% share of my ONE.99shop in Singapore. This investor has proposed a joint venture with me to bring the chain over to London, where we will both have a 50/50 share.

The questions that I face are:

I look forward to your reply.

Thank you and May the Lord continue to bless you.

In Christ,

Nanz


John G.'s reply to Nanz

----- Original Message -----

From: John Gagliardi

To: Nanz Chong

Subject: Re: Greetings! Need your advice.

Dear Sister Nanz:

I have, as I've promised, prayed, talked to some wise people, looked at the original Greek, and read a couple of relevant books with regards to the matter that you have asked for my advice.

It is a common issue, and one that we should be very clear about.

Having said that, it is not my role to tell you what you should do - ultimately, it is between you and God, and you must have the peace of the Holy Spirit in your heart, whatever you decide. Pray and read the Word daily as you come to your decision - God will speak to you.

It seems to me that the intent of the Scripture in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 is to save Christians from going into marriage or other partnerships with non-Christians because of the potential for conflict and disagreement. I don't think it necessarily means that Christians are better or more ethical than non-believers (although they definitely should be), but rather that such "yoked" or "joined" relationships have great potential for strife when the "crunch" in the business comes.

Relationships, whether marital or business, always start off with a honeymoon period - where everything is forgiven, and no problems loom. But with time, questions and issues will start to arise, and the two partners will then try to find their own solutions from two totally conflicting worldviews.

In going back to the original Greek, the word for "unequally yoked" is "heterodzoogeho", which means to bond or join or yoke (a yoke originally was a wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of two oxen and attached to the plough or wagon to be drawn) differently, or to associate discordantly.

The Greek word for "unbelievers" is "apistos" meaning disbelieving, without faith, or an untrustworthy person.

So the verse has the essential characteristics of "discord" or "conflict" in the partnership, and the further implication of the "unbeliever" being "untrustworthy".

Therefore, it is clear that in going into any sort of partnership with a non-Christian, there lies the potential for discord and distrust.

If it is an equal partnership, 50/50, then the potential for conflict is almost inevitable. If the non-believer is a minority partner, say 20% as you mention, then you are able to control policies and procedures and the potential for conflict is less.

In the case of an IPO, the individual shareholders are usually so small percentage-wise that this is virtually a non-issue. Ordinary shareholders have little individual input in the control of a public listed company. In that case, you may well be able to control the company very effectively, with a relatively small percentage of shareholding.

I think the most important thing is to be totally honest and up-front with the potential partner, and tell them exactly where you stand on a number of issues.

Some of the issues I think you should confront include:

Let me quote a paragraph from "Business by the Book" by Larry Burkett ...

"Few knowledgeable Christians would marry a nonbeliever (although some foolishly do). Yet many Christians will enter partnerships with nonbelievers, thinking they can make them work. If they succeed, it is generally because they aren't committed to applying God's principles to their business. Usually these partnerships are rationalized on the basis of economic necessity—not a Biblical principle ... For the committed believer, the decision becomes, 'Do I serve God or man?'

The best counsel I can give anyone about partnerships is to approach them with a high degree of caution. Unraveling a partnership is usually as heart-wrenching as a divorce...If you can reach a mutually satisfactory agreement on a partnership, I recommend that every single detail be written down ... if the prospective partner is offended ... it is better to know his attitude in advance."

So Mr. Burkett is VERY cautious in his business dealings, and I agree with his concerns.

Although the actual Scripture on "yoking" that everyone quotes is 2 Corinthians 6:14, but it is just one verse in a sustained piece of teaching by Paul that goes on from verse 11 to verse 18, and even on into 2 Corinthians 7:1.

It is a major theme, and quite a strong one, because Paul goes on to make the point that we are the temple of the Living God, and as such, we have to be very careful about who or what we link/yoke/unite that temple to.

Read carefully especially verses 14 through 17. He talks of righteousness being yoked with lawlessness, light with darkness, Christ with Belial (the devil), and the temple of God (us) with idols.

It is very strong teaching, and ultimately, my advice to you is to pray over these verses, asking the Holy Spirit to open them up to you and seeking the Godly advice of a few mature counselors, and then let the peace of God rule your decision.

Personally, I would say the 50/50 option is very dangerous; the 20% option is cautiously open to you as long as you have full control and all the issues are understood and agreed up-front in writing. The IPO option is, in my opinion, a different issue altogether, not necessarily invoking the "yoking" sanction mentioned in the Bible (unless it is a very unusual kind of public company that more resembles a partnership).

I hope this helps somewhat. I know it is not definitive, but as I said at the outset, it is ultimately very much between you and God, and what you feel God is telling you in this specific situation. God may tell you to do something that would otherwise seem strange, for His own particular purpose - but in the absence of any strong leading, just be generally very, very cautious in going into any business relationship with non-believers.

Proverbs 19:21 says: "There are many plans in a man's heart; nevertheless, the Lord's council—that will stand."

Always trust God totally, and obey Him—He will bless your obedience as He promises in Deut 28:1-14.

The Business Breakthrough leadership will hold you up in prayer, and please don't hesitate to email or call me personally if you would like to talk further.

Your brother in Christ

John Gagliardi


Nanz’s Reply Back To John G.

----- Original Message -----

From: Nanz Chong

To: John Gagliardi

Subject: Thank you!

Dear Brother John,

Greetings! I was so very, VERY excited by your reply that I immediately printed it out, highlighted it, and prayed and read the Word.

After I read your note and prayed, the verse 2 Corinthians 6:14 just stood out to me like never before.

The Lord said: "DO NOT be unequally yoked...."

It struck me as much as a commandment from God as, "DO NOT murder...", "DO NOT commit adultery", etc. There is no compromise in this area, as the Lord has now made clear for me to understand.

Of particular significance to me was Verse 16: "What agreement has the temple of God (me) with idols?"

I knew that I must obey my King, and I realized what I had to do. Writing to the interested party, I expressed my regrets for not being able to enter into the partnership and proposed a franchising arrangement in its place. (With franchising, they will purchase from us, and then sell.)

Brother John, thank you for the last verse in your letter on "obedience". That was the specific verse that powerfully guided me through this decision.

God is truly a faithful God. Just 2 nights ago, I was so blessed when I received the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award given by ASME (the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises).

His name was highly glorified at the Awards Dinner, as Pamela (recipient of the Most Promising Entrepreneur award) and I both thanked the Lord Jesus Christ for His goodness. God has raised up His children to be winners! Amen!

I hope to see you in church soon, and once again, please know that I am very very blessed by your prayers, your advice and the ministry of Business Breakthrough.

Thank you!

Your Sister in Christ,

Nanz HT