Monday Memo 1262: Paul the Tentmaker

". . . and because he [Paul] was a tentmaker as they [Priscilla and Aquila] were, he stayed and worked with them" (Acts 18:3).

Most people introduce themselves by telling you what they do for a living: "I'm a teacher. I'm in sales. I'm a nurse. I'm retired." We tend to define ourselves by our occupations. If that’s true, then Paul should have introduced himself by saying, "Hi, I'm Paul the tentmaker." But he never did.

The only reason we know Paul made tents is because Luke told us so in Acts 18:3. Paul himself never mentioned his trade. Instead, in letter after letter, he referred to himself as an apostle, a servant of Christ, a preacher, and the man called to take the gospel to the Gentiles. He was remarkably clear about his purpose and referred to it every chance he had.

Why is that important? Because making tents paid the bills, but it wasn't Paul's identity.

As a rabbi, Paul would have been reluctant to take money for teaching God's Word. Jewish teachers generally supported themselves through a trade. In addition, the Roman Empire was filled with traveling philosophers and tutors who charged fees for their services. Paul didn't want people confusing him with one of those professional teachers who traveled from city to city for money. So he worked. He made tents and earned a living, but he never confused provision with purpose.

That’s an important lesson because many people do exactly that. They assume that their job is their purpose. If they lose the job, retire from it, or change careers, they feel as if they have lost themselves. Paul would disagree.

A job may provide income. It may develop skills, create relationships, and open doors. It may even become a platform for your purpose. But your purpose is usually bigger than your job description.

I've had many jobs in my life. I have been a pastor, a teacher, a college administrator, a consultant, a coach, and a publisher. The titles have changed many times over the years, but the purpose hasn’t. I’ve always been helping people discover and pursue purpose, helping to create order out of chaos. I’ve always been teaching, writing, encouraging, and challenging people to become who God created them to be. The vehicles changed, but the assignment remained the same.

Luke gives us another interesting example. We know Luke was a physician because Paul told us so in Colossians 4:14. Luke never mentioned his profession in his Gospel or in the book of Acts. Instead, he fulfilled his purpose by carefully researching and recording the life of Jesus and the growth of the early church. His profession was medicine, but his lasting contribution was writing—and I doubt he was paid to write. He wrote because that was what God created him to do.

That should encourage you because you may be an engineer, nurse, accountant, truck driver, business owner, stay-at-home parent, or retiree. Those things may describe how you make money—what you do or don’t do—but they don’t necessarily define why you’re here.

If your job disappeared tomorrow, what would still remain in your heart? What would you still want to do? What burdens would still move you? What contribution would you still want to make? Those questions often help point us toward purpose.

Sometimes your occupation funds your purpose. Sometimes it prepares you for your purpose. Sometimes it gives you opportunities to express your purpose. But you should never confuse what you do for money with what you were born to do.

Making tents paid Paul's bills, but taking the gospel to the Gentiles fulfilled his purpose. The same is true for us. Our jobs may change many times during our lives, but God's purpose for us remains remarkably consistent. Make sure it’s consistent in your mind, too.

Your Turn

If your present job disappeared tomorrow, what passion, burden, or contribution would still remain in your heart? What would you continue doing even if no one paid you to do it?

What Would Paul Ask You?

Have you confused your occupation with your purpose, or are you using your work to support the reason God put you on earth?

Purpose Moment

Thank God for the work He has given you. Then ask Him to help you see how your job, skills, and experiences can become tools that support the purpose for which He created you. Ask Him to show you where you may have confused your job with your purpose.