Paul – a tentmaker for Christ
Dear Friends,
Paul, originally known as Saul is our next example of workers from the Bible.
Paul’s story spans the entire new testament, beginning as an arch-enemy of Jesus and His early disciples. He later experienced a dramatic turnaround on his way to Damascus and became arguably the greatest Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit inspired him to write at least 28% of the new testament Bible if we include the book of Hebrews. You can check out the arithmetic here https://www.alecsatin.com/how-much-of-the-new-testament-was-written-by-paul/
This blog is about how to be true disciples of Jesus Christ in the workplace, so we will focus on Paul’s work as a tentmaker and how he used his profession to make disciples for Jesus.
By the way, Paul’s main training was to be a Jewish rabbi and tent-making was a manual skill he would have learned when he was younger. But he did not forsake the art of tentmaking even when he was ministering the Word of God! Though he was a scholar and a preacher, he was also a master of the tentmaking trade. The question to look out for in the Bible is why did he continue tentmaking?
Paul – a tentmaker for Christ in the Bible
Paul was an apostle and church-planter, so he should be entitled to receive some living allowances from the churches he had planted, and from the people to whom he preached. He chose not. He was content whatever his circumstances, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want (Philippians 4:11-12).
Besides preaching the Gospel of Christ, Paul chose to work daily to pay for his living expenses. This was praiseworthy and he could boast of it! He received freely and cheerfully gave, just as Christ did. Nevertheless, he was excellent in his preaching and writing ministries (2 Corinthians 11:6-9).
Paul strongly warned others against idleness, commending them to follow his example of working for his wages. He worked day and night as a model for others to emulate. He gave the rule that – the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:7-10).
Paul joined up with Aquila and Priscila because he was a tentmaker as they were (Acts 18:1-3). The couple later became Paul’s fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They even risked their lives for him (Romans 16:3-4).
He sought a good balance to combine his secular work with his preaching. He taught Jesus’s character during the week and preached the Word in the Synagogue every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks (Acts 18:4).
What can we learn from Paul as a tentmaker for Christ?
Like so many other key figures in the Bible (Gideon, David, Peter, and Jesus, to name a few) Paul’s profession and vocation were no accident.
Today, Christ’s disciples in the workplace can take several applications from Paul. Through him, we see the modeling of humility, hard work, integrity, friendship, partnership, and focus on the Kingdom mission, among others.
His income may have come from constructing tents in the natural, but spiritually, his job was to make people into spiritual “tents”. Everyone he brought to faith becomes a miniature tabernacle, a clay tent where the Holy Spirit can dwell.
Paul integrated his work and witness, so he could do “full-time ministry” even in the context of a “full-time job.” This is the genius of Paul-style tentmaking! Although he was fully qualified as a formal religious worker, he chose to approach people as a layperson—as a fellow common labourer. This could not have worked if there had been any pretense. He genuinely put himself ‘‘in the shoes’’ of those he worked with.
How did he evangelize in the tent-making workshop? By his character and lifestyle which he taught others to imitate. They were to conduct themselves wisely toward outsiders, and to say gracious, thought-provoking words, that would elicit questions from them. They must then make the most of every opportunity and be ready to gracefully answer the questions (Colossians 4:5-6).
Paul taught and showed by practical examples that workplace conduct must include personal integrity, moral purity, and truthfulness regardless of the situation. It must also include quality work for the employer—as though he were Jesus Christ! (Colossians3:23-25, Ephesians 6:5-9). Work must also include caring relationships, sharing, encouraging, comforting, and urging people to live lives worthy of God (1 Thessalonians 2:7-12).
Most of Paul’s ethical teaching relates to the workplace because that is where he and his converts spent most of their waking hours. This is now known as ‘‘fishing evangelism’’ and you can read more about it at https://intent.org/workplace-or-campus-evangelism-fishing-out-seekers-summary/
But Paul also used his free time for more formal teaching. On the sabbaths, he taught in the synagogues, if they would have him, or anywhere else he finds!
How can I also be a tentmaker for Christ?
Firstly, I would like to point out that this blog and the Bible are not against people working in full-time ministry or getting paid to work for God.
The fact, however, is that most of Christ’s disciples will retain the workplace as their ministry. These disciples are strategically positioned by God to reach those that would otherwise not get to hear the gospel preached and more importantly, practiced.
As already stated, this blog is specifically for those of us in the secular workplace, to encourage us to take our jobs as God’s Kingdom work so that we can give it the full attention needed. I hope the example of Apostle Paul would have encouraged us that this is required and that it is possible. It will yield fruit now and reward for us in the eternal Kingdom of God.
The following are few necessary steps I would recommend for every Christ disciple in the workplace:
- Pray daily for wisdom and faith to obey God in the workplace
- Let as many people as possible in work know that we are a disciple of Jesus Christ
- Live and work as an ambassador of Christ, being the salt and the light of the workplace both in words and character
- Pray daily for everyone in the place of work
- Make friends and connect with various people in the workplace
- Form or join a Christian Fellowship in the workplace
The Bible assures us in Revelation 21:3 that in the New Heavens and the New Earth, God’s dwelling place will soon be with us and the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb will be the Temple (verse 22). In the meantime, we need to consecrate ourselves as the tent (temple) of the Holy Spirit and work to help build up others.
I would like to remind you that there are organisations already positioned to support individual believers and workplace ministries. An example is Transform Work UK who can help with connecting, equipping, and supporting workplace groups and you can check out their website at https://www.transformworkuk.org/
Fishers of Men Ministry is also interested in offering support and encouragement to individuals and workplace fellowship groups. You can also check out our website to see how you can get involved in this work https://fmministry.co.uk/getting-involved
I hope you have benefited from reading this blog and if so, please share with others. Please also continue to send your feedback and comments to hello@fmministry.co.uk or use the comment box below.
God bless you and let us keep growing in the image of our Lord Jesus Christ
Adesina