Answer:
A broker or middleman is someone who sells a product or service on behalf of another person and receives a certain commission or percentage of the profit earned from the sale. Alternatively, a broker may help find a market for someone’s product and, in return, earn a portion of the proceeds.
If this is the definition or understanding of brokerage, then the work itself is not sinful.
Even the process of buying goods at wholesale prices and selling them at retail prices involves a form of brokerage or intermediation. One purchases at a lower price and sells at a higher price, retaining the profit. In this sense, the retailer becomes a type of broker for the manufacturer or producer.
Therefore, brokerage is not sinful in and of itself, provided it does not involve any of the following immoral or unethical practices:
If a broker is assigned to find a client or buyer but intentionally inflates the price beyond what was agreed with the owner for the sole purpose of gaining excessive profit this is dishonest.
Likewise, if a client seeks a product or house, and the broker knowingly misrepresents its value or condition, offering something substandard at a premium price, this is deceitful and sinful.
Proverbs 12:22 (NIV):
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Ephesians 4:25 (ESV):
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”
Truthfulness is a moral obligation for all believers (Colossians 3:9). Any form of dishonesty, especially in financial dealings, is contrary to the nature of God, who is truth (John 14:6).
If a broker cheats someone whether by taking money unfairly or manipulating them out of their goods or rightful earnings this is a form of oppression or theft.
Micah 6:11 (NIV):
“Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?”
Leviticus 19:13 (ESV):
“You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him.”
God commands just and fair dealings. Exploitation, especially of the vulnerable or uninformed, is a serious sin in both the Old and New Testaments. Christians are called to love their neighbors as themselves (Mark 12:31), which includes treating them fairly in business.
Any kind of commercial activity, including brokerage, conducted within the church or place of worship, is inappropriate and sinful.
Jesus Himself demonstrated righteous anger when He found money changers and traders in the temple courts.
John 2:15 (NIV):
“So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.”
Matthew 21:13 (ESV):
“‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”
The church is a sacred space dedicated to worship, prayer, and fellowship with God. Commercializing it disrespects the holiness of God’s dwelling and distracts from its divine purpose.
Answer: Yes, if the income earned through brokerage is acquired honestly, without lying, cheating, bribery, or defiling the house of God, then it is acceptable before God and can be used as tithes and offerings.
Proverbs 3:9 (ESV):
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.”
Deuteronomy 14:22 (NIV):
“Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.”
God accepts offerings that come from righteous labor. What matters is not the type of work, but the integrity and heart behind it (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Answer: Yes, a Christian can work as a broker, provided they conduct their work with:
A Christian broker should be a witness of Christ even in the marketplace, reflecting biblical ethics and moral excellence.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV):
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”
Brokerage is not inherently sinful. It becomes sinful when accompanied by deceit, exploitation, bribery, or when done in a sacred space. If conducted with integrity, it is a legitimate and honorable profession for a Christian. Income from such work can rightfully be used for tithes and offerings.
May the Lord bless you as you seek to honor Him in all your work.
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Prisca Yohana, known by her artist name "binti wa Mungu" born 24th december, 2000 in Dar es salaam Tanzania. Gospel artist with a deep passion for worship and spreading the message of God’s love through music.
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