-Matt 28:19 NIV-

∴ 2021.11.01

​▶ TI Editorial

Johnny Chun / Executive Secretary of Tentmakers International

Paul's motivation for Tentmaking

Paul was motivated to be a tentmaker for some reasons. and he gives a vigorous defense of his practice in his epistles.

1. Paul wanted to serve the Lord supporting himself.

" But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, 

for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. (1 Cor. 9:15)

" What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of 

the gospel." (1 Cor. 9:18)

Paul wanted to preach the gospel free of charge to the people whom he met. He did not want to make them pay or 

burdened.

In 2 Corinthians 6:3, he says " We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited."

Paul had several options for his support:

a. He could receive money from his listeners.

b. He could receive money from other churches or Christians.

c. He could support himself through tentmaking work.

Option two would still be possible, but he didn't receive any money from other churches. Why?

2. Paul wanted to become a good and humble model.

Paul was a well-educated intellectual who could attract the attention and interest of the middle class or the higher class in 

that society. However, most of the people he met with or ministered to were not necessarily of this same class.

1 Corinthians 1:26, Paul says, " Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influecntial; not many were of noble birth."

Paul was invited to speak in the Areopagus by the local philosophers when he was in Athens and he was able to get 

audiences with other powerful figures, yet how could he relate to workmen such as tentmakers?

These cities to which he carried his message were generally poor, working-class people. To be with many working-class people at their working places and to be a part of the local culture setting a good example that other believers could 

follow, Paul was willing to work as a tentmaker.

"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jew I became like a Jew, to win the  

Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not 

having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings. (1 Cor. 9:19-22)

Many of the successful missionaires such as William Carey, Hudson Taylor, and others have followed this good example 

in the last 200 years. By living a normal, workaday life as good Christian, Paul easily could communicate with people at the market place and share the gospel with them.

▶ Tentmaker's Story 

What are you planning for the third third of your life?

by Phill Sandahl from Tentmaking Today 

God often chooses older people for key roles in His Kingdom work.

Seasons of Life 

Some have divided the seasons of our life into three parts. An old friend calls these stages:

learner (with a focus on acquiring wisdom), load-bearer (with a focus on applying wisdom), 

and lender (when one gives back to the community from the depth of his experience).

What is certain is that God intends for us to flourish and produce fruit in each season. Joel 2:28 says,

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." JOEL 2:28

We have been created in God’s image and called to steward his creation. God did not put an expiration date on our call to 

service. He does however, recognize that there are different seasons to life and that our roles change with the seasons.

Some might point to Numbers 8:25-26 as a case where God put a limit on the time the Levites were to serve in the tent of meeting as proof that God intended for man to retire after a period of service. A careful reading of verse 26 shows that they were not “put out to pasture,” but rather, God assigned them a new role.

In many cultures older people are honored and valued. They have earned a special place through years of experience. 

The Bible also has something more to say about those who are old and “gray-haired.”

Psalm 92:12-14 reminds us “They will bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” I like that. God intends for us 

to flourish and continue bearing fruit as long as we live. You might say that it is not retirement but a process of repurposing for another season on life.

Flourishing 

I have heard older folks say, ”… I should retire and make room for younger leadership — But I don’t feel as if I am done 

yet.” The key is that one is not retiring in the sense most people think of it. Rather one is shifting from one season to 

another. From one role to another. God is not done with you. The best is yet to come.

Psalm 92 conjures up the image of a plant whose branches are green and putting out blossoms and fruit. Today we like to 

talk about how God intends for his people to flourish.

Flourishing is not so much wellbeing as objective fruitfulness in the world. They will continue to bear fruit and make a difference for God in the world.

Case in Point

A few years back in Tentmaking Today we shared the story of Sue and Robert. They had retired from their teaching careers and were comfortably living in a retirement center. One day their conversation turned to their never fulfilled plan to become missionaries. They decided God was not done with them and found teaching positions in northern China. God gave them 20 years of ministry in China where they impacted many lives.  

What are you planning for the third third of your life? How much golf can you play?

For further reflection on this topic check out:

 *** “A Biblical Vision of Third Third Flourishing” Mark D Roberts, Fuller De Pree Center. A Biblical Vision of Third Third Flouri-shing – De Pree Center

 *** What Does The Bible Say About Retirement? – Crown