For those who wish to pursue ministry and missions for God, it is naturally helpful to receive financial support from brothers and sisters in Christ. However, many who wish to spend their time sharing the gospel will still need to work a job to support themselves. There are many who do not realize that Paul actually worked to help pay his own way during his missionary work. He worked as a tent maker. He would make tents with Aquila and Priscilla and then take to the synagogue every Sabbath to reason with Jews and Greeks about the scriptures and how they point to Yeshua as Messiah.
1After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. 2And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, 3and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. 4And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
Of course, having a full time or even part time job outside of ministry will take time and attention away from ministry. However, if we find ourselves in that situation we should not despair because of lack of funding. It does not mean that God has not called us to do His work. We do not have to be full time ministers or missionaries to serve God and share His word passionately and effectively. We can strive to do both as Paul did in Corinth. Work to support yourself, yes… but make good use of your remaining time to serve God. We can trust in God to provide the support we need, whether through our own work or through others.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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