Be Careful When Doing Business With Family

I've always been warned to be careful about doing business with family. Granted, working together can usually enhance opportunities so that everyone can benefit. It's not that we don't want to see family members do well, but when disagreements arise, they are usually harder to work out.

When there is a dispute among family, other family members get involved. People take sides and the feud tends to rise to unnecessary levels. Family gatherings can even get uncomfortable.

In an ideal situation where family members are working together, each family member would treat the other with the same respect that they would give to a non-related business associate.

In various business relationships, we should make sure that both sides are being fairly treated.

As a business owner or manager

In Genesis 29:15, Laban shows us a great example of that. He knows that it is unfair to expect a family member to work for another family member for free. He asks his nephew, Jacob, to determine an acceptable pay wage.

As owners or managers, we should fairly compensate our helpers for the work they provide. Underpaying them is not fair to the worker. They should not be "punished" for being related. Malachi 3:5 tells us that we will be judged. The Lord will testify against "those who defraud laborers of their wages" (NIV)

Jesus said in Luke 10:7, "for the worker deserves his wages" (NIV) James also warns the rich oppressors to be careful about hoarding their wealth. In James 5:4, James tells employers that the Lord will hear the cries of the workmen that were not paid. As a result of their selfishness, misery will come upon them.

Similarly, overpaying a family member can be considered preferential treatment. That is not fair to the non-related employees who work just as hard yet get paid less.

As an employee

When we work for family, we have to be careful not to take the position for granted. While an employee should be paid a fair wage, Luke 10:7 does say that the worker deserves his wages. Therefore, as an employee, we should make sure that we are pulling our weight and earning our pay.

We should not use our blood ties to think it is acceptable to break the rules without consequences. We should never put our employer in an uncomfortable situation that forces them to have to consider letting us go.

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