The Book of Acts ~ Study Fifty-Eight

"Dependent Tentmaker"


Acts 18:1-17 (NLT) Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.
   Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”
    Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.
   One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.
   But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.”
   But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom.
   The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.

We learn that Paul was a "tentmaker" to make a living. In the city of Corinth, he became an employee for a wealthy couple Aquila and Priscilla. I want to paint a word picture of what Paul did for a living. He made portable tents of leather or of cloth of goat's hair. When he wasn't preaching, this is what Paul did to support himself. 

The City of Corinth was another metropolitan area located 50 miles southwest of Athens. The name "Corinth" (corai entha)  means, "here are girls, or whores" where pagan worship involved thousands of young temple prostitutes.  Paul lived and worked there for a year and a half preaching the Gospel Message. What a hard place to preach. Not only was he up against the pagan society, he had to battle the Jews who wanted nothing to do with Jesus. We see the opposition raise up against him once more. However, we read that God was protecting him here and so he stayed as long as the Lord allowed him to. It was also during this time that Paul decided to preach solely to the Gentiles. (See verses 5-6.) 

What does this history lesson have to do with you and I? Why do we need to know these things? I think it's because we too, though on a completely different level, face opposition every day. We also have to make a living to support ourselves and those dependent on us. It is a noble thing to work for a living. It is also a part of life that we will face hard times. It's how and with whom we face our lives that really makes a difference.

1 Timothy 6:17-18 (NLT) Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.

What we do is important. But, it's how we view ourselves in the mix that matters. Do we depend on ourselves or do we depend upon God? Without His help we can do nothing. We can't depend upon our wealth or the lack of wealth. We have to depend upon God.

Psalm 62:6-8 (Message) God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life. My help and glory are in God—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God— So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be.

You may be in a place right not that is painful and scary. Maybe you are jobless or sick. Maybe you have all kinds of money and are lonely and depressed. With or without, poor or rich, among lots of people or alone, we are nothing without God. He takes whatever situation we are in and takes care of us. You see this world is temporary and His Kingdom is not. Whether we live or die, we are with Jesus.

James 4:14 (NLT) How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 

Why depend on what we don't know will happen? Why don't we depend on what we do know? We know, if we are followers of Christ, that He is dependable and His will is definite. Keep your eyes toward Jesus and keep living life. This world is just a small portion of our existence. Eternity with Him is our future. Keep on making your "tents" and live your life totally dependent on the One who knows you best and loves you most.