Rethinking Ministry and Missions in the 21st Century
And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought:
for by their occupation they were tentmakers. Acts 18:3
Paul is the Christian's example extraordinaire. The Christian life put into action is summed up in the life of Paul. Paul not only taught by his word but also by his work. James says it this way: “...shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”(James 2:18) The Apostle Paul's life was full of works and many pages of holy writ testify to that fact. Saul, who once strove to bring an end to the Church, became Paul who was the hardest worker in the New Testament. There is likely no other person who has been so fully devoted as a Christian servant than Paul. How did Paul come to be so zealous for the Lord? As a saved man, as an Apostle born out of due time, as a writer of many of the epistles, was he not worthy to be financially taken care of for his services? Why then was Paul a tentmaker, laboring for his daily provisions? Paul reveals for us his motivation for his hard-working attitude: “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10) Paul explained why he worked harder than all of the rest of the Apostles. It is simple. It was because of God's great grace bestowed upon him! He gives testimony to the theme of the Lord's grace by mentioning this wonderful grace in the closing of each of his letters. “The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”(2 Thessalonians 3:17-18)
Yet, did not all of the apostles receive the same grace? Are not all believers justified by this same grace of Jesus? Are not all Christians partakers of the same great grace of our Lord? Indeed so. Paul was no different than us when it comes to being a recipient of God's grace. God's grace is indeed sufficient for us as it was with Paul. In order to more understand this laborer's secret, let us consider another person in Scripture who also greatly appreciated abundant grace from our Lord.
"And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." (Luke 7:36-50)
Paul is like this grateful woman. He understood what a great sinner he was (I Timothy 1:15). This woman was fully aware of her many sins and thus had a great appreciation for her great Saviour. She loved much because she was forgiven much. Her gratitude is shown in her caring actions toward the Lord. Paul's gratitude for his great measure of grace is demonstrated in his many works of service. His is a labor of love. It is because he had been greatly loved by the Lord that he showed his love in return. Paul knew forgiveness. Paul knew grace. Grace motivated him to strenuously labor and abundantly serve. Paul's personal experience with the Lord of grace is the reason he labored more abundantly than all of the rest of the apostles.
The obvious question is, what about us? Are we not appreciative of our salvation as was this woman? Are we not aware of the many sins we have performed against our Lord which he has generously forgiven? Are not we saved from the same flames of hell this woman is saved? The fact is all Christians are rescued from the same eternal damnation as was Paul! The real question is, why are not all Christians so greatly moved with the same life-changing gratitude as are our two examples? Why are we all not so thankful that our actions regularly and without a doubt show our very great love for our wonderful Lord? The truth is, we all should be moved with great zeal for our Lord. We all deserve to be in the same tormenting place forever. Our actions, our labor of love, should bear witness of the wonderful grace of Jesus in our lives.
It is out of his appreciation of God's love, forgiveness, and grace that Paul was a tentmaker. He didn't have to be. Paul could have demanded funds for his service. It would have been fitting for him to. This Apostle could have required the churches to give sacrificially for his teaching and ministry. He did receive gifts once in a while and did not turn away loving care in the shape of finances or practical help. Yet, Paul, even with all of his academic qualifications and special gifting from the Lord, willingly took on a regular job in order to provide for his daily necessities. This is grace in action! Let's now take a look at some of the things Paul said about his employment for income.
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? (1 Corinthians 9:6)
Paul and Barnabas had outside employment. That is, they had jobs that earned income apart from any church gifts. The two had a right to receive monetary gifts from the church for the spiritual ministry. This is what it means that they had power to forebear working. They had the right to get paid by the church for their teaching and ministry. Yet, they chose not to exercise that right. Many Christians benefitted from those two traveling ministers. The Bible makes it clear that those receiving spiritual teaching from the Bible should receive payment for their work. Here are some verses which declare that this is true and that they had the right to get paid for their work for the Lord.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. (1 Timothy 5:17-18; see also I Corinthians 9:7-11)
The pastor who teaches the Bible is worthy of being provided the physical necessities of life which includes monetary compensation. Double honor refers to respect and to providing for the pastor the necessary things to get by in this earthly life. Here is further explanation of the same subject.
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:14
The Bible makes it clear concerning those who preach the gospel and teach the Bible, that they should be taken care of by those who receive their teaching. This has matter-of-factly been instituted by the Lord. It is a clear doctrine from the Lord. Hard work is demanded to study and to teach properly. It takes a lot of effort to reach a city or the countryside with the gospel of Christ. Much time and work is required in order to minister for the Lord. The Lord himself has made allowance to take care of his servants who are devoted to and involved in his service to this depth or magnitude.
Paul had been commissioned directly by the Lord Jesus himself. Paul was an Apostle. Paul was a missionary. Paul was a teacher. He was certainly well educated and experienced. Was he not worthy of getting paid for his spiritual work? Certainly he was. But for the most part, Paul chose to work a regular job rather than take a paycheck from the churches he ministered to. Doesn't that seem odd? It s like it doesn't make any sense. It doesn't … unless grace is factored into his life and ministry! You see, Paul was saved by grace and he did not deserve anything but to be forever separated from the Lord. Out of his great love for the Lord and for the Lord's Church, Paul chose not to take advantage of this privilege/right. Consider his reasoning.
What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge,
that I abuse not my power in the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:18)
Paul freely received the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now he was making this same gospel of Christ available with no cost attached. The gospel is free and Paul wanted to keep it that way. What a wonderful example of grace this is. It is as if he were saying: “I have been freely forgiven of all my sins. I now want to freely let others know of this same forgiving grace.”
Consider the personal business and of his ministry. Think about the many days of hard labor he poured into the churches for the sake of Christ.
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:33-35)
Paul's outside employment provided not only for his own needs but also to some who ministered along with him. Paul was a giver. He probably could have worked as a lawyer or an educator in what was the university system of his day. He turned aside from this higher paying jobs and worked with his hands. He made tents for people to dwell in. There were many other kinds of dwellings in his day make of rock, brick, and wood. Paul was laboring for those who most likely did not have lots of wealth to purchase a higher priced home. He further points out his reasoning for spending time in his self-supporting tentmaking occupation.
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:8-9)
Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9)
Paul worked in the Lord's work by praying, evangelizing, and teaching. He also works besides to earn a living for himself. In this way he was not chargeable to any of the believers in Thessalonica. Even though it was his right to receive financial remuneration for his work, he did not take any. He worked at an occupation to be an example for the Christians.
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, (Acts 28:30)
Near the end of his life, Paul did not live in a parsonage but in his own rented house. He had the freedom to minister for the Lord as the Lord would dictate. This is yet another way Paul was able to give to others. He kept his hard-working attitude all throughout his life of service.
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. (Titus 3:14)
And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
(Acts 28:3)
Often when a pastor gets a call from a missionary on deputation or a traveling evangelist, money is at the forefront. They might want to "present their ministry" but it is normally for the purpose of raising support. It is interesting that Paul did not take this approach. He sacrificed and worked hard at a secular job in order to give to the church instead of suggesting a church give to him. He never presented his ministry, he just ministered! What trust in the Lord we could learn from this disciple! Too many times a missionary in another country will contact a pastor seeking more money (support). It was once suggested to a missionary pick up a part time job in order to make ends meet and as a means to contact people in the community in which they were attempting to reach. The response was that the missionary's visa did not grant them the privilege to work. Perhaps a great love for the people and a better understanding of grace would select a more permanent means of entering a country.
Questions for further thought:
1. How might tentmaking pastors help the church be able to thrive in a world hostile to the Christian faith?
2. What are some advantages of a tentmaking missionary/church planter?
3. What are some advantages of a tentmaking pastor?
4. What are some disadvantages of a tentmaking missionary/church planter?
5. What are some disadvantages of a tentmaking pastor?
James Utter