Tentmakers?

Tentmakers

We are all tentmakers.

The apostle Paul made tents by day and used his free time to teach and minister to those with whom he had an opportunity to do so. Indeed, he did not want to be a burden to those he ministered to, but perhaps there is more to the story. 

Paul was one who understood that God works through the ordinary, and it was ordinary for him to work at making tents. The work of making tents was a sacred calling, not just a job, and he used his resources to meet his needs (so he would not be a burden to others), and to meet the needs of those around him who were “needy.”

Acts 20:34-35 says this: 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 said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Our first calling is to be faithful in the job we are currently doing. If we are a tentmaker, we are committed to make tents and to use the resources and the work itself to represent Christ. We were made to glorify God, to show the world who He is, and by working hard and being generous, we can do that. 

Today, at times, it seems as if young people who love God, spend time with Him, and want to serve Him are encouraged to go into “ministry.” We seem to treat people “like that” as if they are unusual, thereby admitting that we think that God does not especially call the ordinary worker in his/her everyday work. 

Those who love God who are lawyers, teachers, judges, doctors, grocery store clerks, and more should see their callings the same, other than daily chores, as those who are set apart for ministry. The work we do is sacred, and the rewards we earn are not for self-indulgence. Instead, they are for the building up of the kingdom.

Paul makes it clear that we should care for those who we have chosen to shepherd us so those who are set apart for this role should be cared for by the people whom they serve. There need not be fundraisers or special pleas for those who have given up hope of having the resources to care for themselves to minister to others. If those they serve are too spiritually immature to see their responsibility, or incapable of meeting all of the needs of those who minister, God will provide through other members of the body who are making “tents” elsewhere. 

It seems that “Christians” have lost the idea of all occupations being sacred, and the resources gained from such work belongs to God, not ourselves. I think we have learned to use our resources as ways to care for ourselves first, and others if somehow it still benefits ourselves or our agenda. Often, those who have an idea or believe they have a call from God spend more time and effort raising funds than working the mission. 

God loves cheerful givers, and we do not give grudgingly, or of necessity, therefore, we do not give to causes out of guilt or just because of need. We give because we are excited to be a part of God’s plan and our resources are His to direct.

There are many legitimate ministries that are looking to God to provide their needs, and if those who are believers are in tune with the Spirit of God, they will be burdened to provide what these ministries are lacking. All “callings” are sacred and have responsibilities attached to them, making us all the same, yet different.