Suppose you had come to Corinth, Greece for the famous Isthmian Games of 51 AD and needed a tent. You stubble upon a leather working man who makes, repairs, and sells tents. His name is Paul (Acts 18:3). You hear reports that he is a relatively well-known religious teacher. He is a trained Jewish Rabbi who has converted to a new religion called “The Way” with followers known as Christians (Acts 9:2; 11:26; 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22). He is an Apostle of this new faith going throughout the Gentile world telling others about Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, who died on a Roman cross for the sins of humanity.
But your concern is simply purchasing a tent. What type of tent would you expect to get from Paul? Would you expect him to be honest in what he told you about the tent? Would you expect him to sell it to you at a fair price for both himself and you? Would you expect him to stand behind his work? Would you expect him to value hard-work and dedication? I think the answer to all of these questions would be a resounding–YES!
I believe Paul made the best tents he could make. I believe he would be honest, trustworthy, and fair in his business dealings. He understood his example and reputation as a Christian was tied to his work efforts and product. Paul viewed his work as a way of ministering to others and providing for his own financial needs, so as not to burden the church (Acts 20:34-35; 1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8)
If you would expect these qualities from Paul, shouldn’t people of the world expect such qualities from Christians today? Christians ought to be the best workers! We ought to be the best craftsmen and business people. We ought to be honest, fair, and trustworthy. Paul saw his work as giving an example for others to imitate (2 Thess. 3:9). We ought to do so as well. Remember, it was the tentmaker Paul who said, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward” (Col. 3:23-24).
