A lot of people will get triggered by this question in our increasingly secular and leftist society. It is a hot potato topic that even those who profess to be Christians will advise against it. I will go the other way instead because I care about God, rather than what people will say.

Yes, you should give Bibles to your employees. There are a lot of versions to choose from so you should go with the popular ones like The New King James Version, The Living Translations, or the New International Version.  But only do so if you have clearly established your culture, and values as Christian company.

Don’t give out Bibles if you don’t have a Christian culture. This is not expected and is considered offensive in a secular setting. Even if you are the boss and you only mean well.      

A. Why does giving them Bibles offend people? 

There are a lot of reasons why people don’t like getting a Bible as a gift. It may be different in other parts of the world. In most Western societies like, the US, the giver encroaches on a very personal issue which is religion.

1. It’s spiritual warfare. 

People don’t like being handed out Bibles because they are under the influence of the devil. They don’t see anything good in it. It abhors them.

2. You are saying they could be better. 

The sin of pride is ripe in the world. You will come across as being holier-than-thou which is far from what you intended. People don’t like to be reminded of their sins, and the Bible does that.

3. They feel harassed. 

Yes, giving a Bible can be equated to harassment of any kind. They think it’s none of your business and that you should have known better. 

4. You are just doing it out of a self-interest to serve your “god’”.  

“You are not really doing this to help me, you are doing this to help yourself.” People under the influence of the devil don’t think as you do. The Bible is a threat to them and they don’t want your help.

5. They think it’s a power play. 

These people think that just because you are the boss doesn’t give you the right to force your religion on them. You are taking advantage of your position. This may be true to some extent. But they don’t understand that it is for a totally justifiable and good reason.

6. Invasion of personal space. 

To them, religion is a very personal matter. No one has the right to poke into their lives. To a very defensive world, giving a Bible is poking into their personal lives.

7. They are not Christians. 

The sad reality is that people who need the Bible the most are the ones who don’t want anything to do with it. 

8. They are just mad at God. 

It’s not that they don’t believe in God, there is just a group of people who are seething at God for the things that happened in their lives.    

B. How to give Bibles the right way

If you have made it very clear to each job applicant that they are applying with a Christian company, then you would have already screened out your potential antagonists. Most of them, anyway.  

Someone asked this question on a secular website, which stirred a hornet’s nest of angry replies. Surprisingly, some commenters even claimed to be Christians. So it’s still important to do it the right way to avoid riling up sensitive feelings.

1. Ask first if it’s okay. 

Most people will say yes if they know you and are comfortable with the Christian culture that they work in.  

2. Find out if they already have a BIble. 

That’s the problem. Most people who appreciate a Bible already have one.  

3. Sincerely do it out of care and respect for the person. 

You need to establish a relationship first. Then gently engage with the person in a discussion on spiritual matters. Only when you made progress do you give the person a Bible so that your motives are not mistaken.

4. Will they use it? 

A lot of Bibles are just gathering dust on shelves, always set aside for reading on another day.  While in other countries, owning one can put your life in danger. An unread Bible is such a waste.

5. Give a Bible version that will add value. 

Since most people who will appreciate a Bible already have one, do give them something that can be useful. Not everyone has a study Bible, a concordance, illustrated, or analytical Bible. You can even have their name engraved on the leather cover.  Don’t give something that they will find in a hotel or given free on the streets. 

Conclusion

As a Christian, it is important to always examine our hearts. What is your motive that you are giving a Bible?

Are you giving this person a Bible so that he can change and stop being a nuisance in your business? I don’t think Jesus will be please with that.

Are we doing it to placate our own conscience for not serving the Lord? That’s a tad selfish. 

The ultimate motive is for that person to find Jesus. Everything else should be cast away.