Self-support requires faith too . . .

Today’s Christian missionaries are either self-supporting “tentmakers” or supported by donors in what is often called a “faith ministry” meaning that they are trusting God to supply their financial needs. Most of these spend time in “deputation” which involves traveling to local churches to explain their ministry and raise prayer and financial support.

Paul may not have been the first missionary yet he is biblically prominent in this role. He supported himself by the literal trade of tentmaking, where the above term comes from. This is first mentioned in Acts:

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. (Acts 18:1–3)

Paul explains why he did this. He was not being independent but wanted to fit in with something Jesus said, recorded only here in the Bible . . .

I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:33–35)

Several times Paul mentioned that he worked with his hands. Each time, he reveals something about his character and determination not to burden others with raising support for him . . .  

To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure . . .  (1 Corinthians 4:11–12)

In this passage, he did not want anyone to feel sorry for him but to realize that he was willing to do anything to take the Gospel to sinners. While others sought personal gain in this world, Paul’s life was not focused on getting rich or being popular or any of those temporal glories; he wanted only to glorify God.

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9)

Again, Paul tells another church to take note of the work he was doing. He was making tents so he would not be a financial burden to them. This meant spending long hours sewing leather skins to earn a living so he could spend long hours proclaiming the Gospel.

Nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. (2 Thessalonians 3:8–12)

Paul was not one to accept free meals either. He realized this was not wrong — as a worker in the kingdom he had the right to be supported, but he instead wanted to be an example to others. If they were going to work as hard as he did in sharing the good news, that was one thing but if they wanted to be supported so they could have an easy time of it was not an option. Instead of wanting an easy life or spending their days merely meddling in the affairs of others, they should be like he was — earning their own living quietly and without fanfare.

I suppose each person signing up with a mission organization needs to consider the best way to ensure they have enough money to live. Tentmakers are not as common, likely because going to a foreign country and getting a job there would be even more difficult than months of deputation at home. I don’t know these things. However, when Paul says he set an example, it was probably in attitude as well as in how he took care of his own needs. He did not want to be a burden to people who didn’t have enough to support themselves. He also wanted to avoid being unwilling to work. We all know the appeal of Idleness.

He also could have been tempted to use his spare time in chatter rather than outreach. He loved people, but idle talk can result in learning things about others that could easily become a temptation to meddle in their lives. Paul was far more interested in seeing lives transformed by the power of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

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Lord Jesus, from all this, I see a lesson in understanding my own motivations, weaknesses, and the wisdom in always keeping my focus where You want it to be. I’m not a tentmaker but a quilt-maker, and I’ve been scolded for not entering in shows. Entering competitions is not the reason I do this trade. You have given me a purpose for it. You know how my heart can be tempted to stray off into personal gain rather than showing Your love to others in need. Paul reminds me today to keep that focus, work quietly to pay my own way, and not get tangled up in any kind of fanfare. Thank You. This applies to everything else I do too.

Face-to-face instead of technology . . .

Imagine the early church beginning in our era instead of when it did. Paul could stay home and speak to the known world through radio, television and the Internet. His face-to-face meetings and confrontations would not have happened nor would any mission trips be necessary. His life story would not be very interesting.

For example, Paul’s second trip began with him headed off to Asia, but the Spirit of Jesus and a night-time vision took him to Macedonia where he “concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:6–10)

He and his traveling companions sailed to Philippi, a leading city in Macedonia and a Roman colony. A stay of several days resulted in prayer on the banks of a river with several women and one named Lydia was saved. After the Lord “opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” she was baptized and her household, then showed hospitality to Paul and his co-workers. (Acts 16:11–15)

From there, they encountered a demonic slave girl and set her free, but her owners hauled them to the marketplace where they were attacked and beaten, then thrown in jail. (Acts 16:23–24)

At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. The prisoners listened, and suddenly there was a great earthquake that shook the prison and opened its doors. The jailer woke up and thought the prisoners had escaped. He was about to kill himself, but Paul not only reassured him but “they spoke the word of the Lord to him and his house.” He washed their wounds; and was baptized with his family. (Acts 16:25–33)

Next, they travelled to Thessalonica, went to the synagogue of the Jews where some were persuaded and joined them along with many devout Greeks and leading women. But the Jews were jealous, formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked.

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. (Acts 17:10–14)

None of this would have happened if Paul had a radio ministry or used social media. He may have been safer but this narrative would be missing as would be evidence of God at work through him.

Paul went from Thessalonica to Athens and “his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.” (Acts 17:16–17) He went to their gathering place and preached to them. Some mocked, but others wanted to hear more. He left for Corinth and those who believed joined him.

In that city, “he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 18:1–4) By the time Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, “Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’” (Acts 18:5–6)

Even so, the ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord and many of the Corinthians believed and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:8–11)

Again, the Jews hauled Paul before the Roman tribunal, but the proconsul wasn’t interested in their disputes. He refused to judge these things. Paul left Corinth and went to Ephesus. He first reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue but declined their request to stay. “I will return to you if God wills.” He sailed to Caesarea, greeted their church, then went to Antioch, then did another tour through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, to strengthen all the disciples. (Acts 18:19–23)

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Lord, I love how this story begins with prayer and obedience. This pattern no doubt continued throughout the life of this faithful servant. It sets an example for me too. Not only do I always need to seek and follow Your direction, I also need to realize how personal connection can be far weightier and more important than texting, social media, or this blog. Hitting someone’s mailbox does not say God loves you as much as knocking on their door and greeting them with smiles and hugs.