Paul : the Tentmaker

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Paul: The Tentmaker

I still remember when the Lord spoke to me this revelation that Paul the apostle was a tentmaker. It blew my mind when I heard the voice of the Lord in my heart. I then, after my prayer was done, jumped to search the scripture and find out whether it was written in the Bible that he was a tentmaker, and guess what, I found it in Acts Chapter 18 verses 1-3. Now listen, Paul the mighty shaker of the nation, Paul the opener of many churches, one of the most famous - the church of Ephesus, which Paul founded under the nose of goddess Diana or Artemis, was a tentmaker by profession!

This Saul of Tarsus, the Hebrew of Hebrews, why would he choose to become a tentmaker? Does it not hurt his status? Firstly, how did he humble himself to become a tentmaker from being someone who was born with Roman citizenship? Secondly, is there more to understand with his choice of decision here?

For the first question, the answer goes back to him encountering the blessed Lord Jesus, that great light on the road to Damascus. This Lord humbled himself from the Godhead to humanity and the man Paul made the man Jesus, his Lord and master and he had to become humble after their encounter and interaction. Come on, he is someone who has visited the third heaven and heard unspeakable words yet he is somebody so down to earth. More to discuss on this humility and submission in later blogs

.Now, answering the second question, it might have some layers, so stick with me. Some think Paul was a full-time minister, he was: in the sense that his entire being was driven for the Lord Jesus. But he still had a job to supply his daily needs.

The reason for him being a tentmaker was first to earn basic money for his livelihood, so he also said to others who followed him, to work with their hands, telling them if someone doesn't work, he shouldn't eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Also we need to understand here that, he was not under any obligation to be a tentmaker but he became something(tentmaker in this case), so that others(the social community) can relate with him and so that, he by any means could win some. His theology is beautiful as he says, "I became weak to the weak so that I might win the weak."(Study 1 Corinthians 9:19-23) He also said, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are necessary or beneficial."(1 Corinthians 6:12). I believe this is what it means to achieve the glorious liberty of the sons of God on some level.(Rom 8:21)

This tentmaker was different indeed. He did everything for the gospel, for God's kingdom. Everything in his life centered around the gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, his friends were Aquila and Priscilla, the famous couple that many people use while blessing new marriages, these too were companions of Paul and tentmakers.

I imagine that they would talk about things above as they would be sewing tents. Oh , their precious fellowship with one another! Be like Paul the tentmaker: whether you eat, drink, or do any occupation do it all for the glory of God(1 Corinthians 10:31). God bless you, if you have read till here, leave your comments on how you felt after reading this blog, you can write your testimonies if the Lord spoke to you through this small blog, your testimony encourages me and others also. Until the next blog, Shalom.