Setting a good example for Christian workers to follow by Jonny Chun/ Executive Secreatry of Tentmakers Internatiinal
This following story is a good example for we tentmakers to learn.
"A missionary who has been serving in Asian countries for over 20 years shared how he began as a full-time church planter, but was ineffective connecting with the nationals. Furthermore, he was running into visa problems.
So he created a business “platform”, essentially a cover for his ministry. But the business did not create jobs for the community, never made money, and paid minimal taxes. He was still suspect in the eyes of the local people and the government.
Finally, he saw the need for integrity in doing real business. After all, Paul never pretended to make tents. He worked night and day, making tents and preaching.
So this brother invested his own savings and raised funds to launch a business. He also sought out professional help to learn the technology related to his business and worked hard at it. He worked very hard.
The business grew and he hired local Muslims as employees. Then he turned a profit and started paying more taxes. He began to earn the respect of the community and even gained some clout that allowed him to contest the corrupt demands of the local government.
Meantime, the missionary is discipling local pastors and training them to become distributors for his products so they could travel to different parts of the country for business and ministry. These pastors have also found dignity in their financial independence, and respect as honest contributors to their country’s economy."
In 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8, Paul says that "For you, yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you."
Paul as a tentmaker set a good example for the Christians of his days to follow. He also hoped that his tentmaking to support himself and his ministry would build his credibility among non-Christians, thus giving him the opportunities to share the Gospel of His Kingdom. Financial support was not the only reason for his tentmaking. Instead, in his workplace ministry with the excellence of work, integrity, and his Christian lifestyle, he tried to give good influences to people around him to follow Jesus Christ. |