In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 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. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate (2 Thessalonians 3:6-9).

    In Acts 18:1-3, we are given a front-row seat to the third and final reason why Paul appears to have chosen to work as a tentmaker: so that he could effectively disciple other Christians. In these verses, we are told that, upon arriving in Corinth, Paul met Priscilla and Aquila, “and because [Paul] was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them” (Acts 18:3).

    Many theologians believe that Priscilla and Aquila had already converted to Christianity by the time they met Paul. But by working shoulder-to-shoulder as tentmakers, Paul was able to disciple the couple and bring them further along in their faith.

    In his book, The Missional Entrepreneur, Dr. Mark Russell, says, “It is very possible that Paul taught [Priscilla and Aquila] how to blend workplace excellence and effective evangelism. They became tentmaking missionaries themselves, traveling on to Ephesus no doubt still practicing their trade and teaching the Way to people like Apollos.

    Paul modeled teaching in the context of daily life, which made spiritual instruction seem natural and flowing rather than forced and uncomfortable as it is commonly perceived.

    Due to this style…[Paul’s] converts became teachers and their converts became teachers and the positive feedback cycle continued.”

    Paul didn’t work because he needed to, and he didn’t just do the bare minimum amount of work necessary in order to fund his “real ministry” of preaching within the four walls of local churches. Paul chose to work as a part of a deliberate strategy to “become all things to all people,” to preach the gospel to unbelievers in the workplace, and to disciple fellow Christians.

    But in 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul alludes to another reason why he worked, saying, “we worked night and day…in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.” Through God’s Word, we can hear Paul saying those same words to us today.

    Whether you’re a tentmaker, an entrepreneur, an artist, a salesperson, a stay-at-home dad, a janitor, or a teacher, your work, like Paul’s, is not something separate or disconnected from the work of making disciples.

your work, like Paul’s, is not something separate or disconnected from the work of making disciples.

    The Lord has called each of us to use our chosen vocations in intentional ways to win the respect of outsiders, to preach the gospel, and to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Let that truth and Paul’s example challenge and inspire you as you go about your work today!

    Most of us like to listen to stories. Whether it is for entertainment, or to make a point. Stories are memorable and stick with us. I found this excerpt in a book by storyteller Jackson Day a very succinct explanation of the power of story and why it was Jesus’ preferred teaching technique. Parable Seeds: Second Sowing explains why Jesus taught in parables.

    “Jesus knew that people receive truth best when it was clothed in story. That is why when Jesus spoke to the crowd, He didn’t say anything to them without using parables (Mark 4:34). Jesus mastered the art of clothing truth with stories. Jesus’ parables didn’t illustrate His message; His stories were His message. Jesus told stories in order to put His listeners on the road to truth. Most of the time, Jesus didn’t even explain His parables. At the end of many parables Jesus said, ‘He who has ears, let him hear.’ 

    “Story was Jesus’ form of speech. Jesus did not come to earth as a theologian; He came as a storyteller. Jesus did not lecture using point-driven abstract language. Jesus told stories every time when He spoke to crowds. Common people gladly heard Jesus tell His parables. Christians who are faithful to Jesus’ message need to be faithful to imitate Jesus’ storytelling approach. 

    “Most people hear stories better than they hear truth framed in point-driven abstract logic. Listeners struggle with the meaning of point-driven abstract logic, but they identify with the simplicity of a story. Listeners find point-driven abstract logic boring; however, a well-told story is fun for listeners. Listening to stories can be the most enjoyable and effective way to receive truth. 

    “Whenever and wherever stories are told, a chord is plucked within the understanding of the listeners. Often the story is heard by the ear, but listened to by the subconscious mind where its deeper meaning resides… 

    “I (Jack Day) had the joy of living in Brazil for thirty-three years. Story telling is rooted in the Brazilian culture. I always carried flash cards in my pocket. Whenever I heard a story I liked, I made notes on a card and threw it into a “story seed box.” I collected story books in Portuguese and found story-seeds in many of them. The majority of the stories/parables I tell were adapted from stories I first discovered in Brazil. 

    “I have a strong conviction that before we can change someone’s beliefs, we must change the stories they hear and believe. I’m convinced that the shortest road to lead a person to the truth is to tell them a story. Just as Jesus crafted and told stories to put people on the road to truth; I’m crafting and telling stories to put people on the road to truth. 

    “A parable is a fictitious story; however, it is also a true-to- life story that communicates truth. A parable is a fictitious, concise story that illustrates how a person should behave, or what they should believe. It has a moral or religious life-lesson. It is truth clothed in story. 

    “A Christian parable is a fictitious story about ordinary men and women, in familiar settings of life, whose everyday experiences teach divine truth. A Christian parable is not about a giant of the faith; it is about a common person. It’s a fictitious story, but it seems entirely probable. 

    “A parable is truth clothed with a story. A parable deals mainly with everyday human life, but its overtone reaches into spiritual life-lessons. A parable contains a subtext that suggests a life-lesson about how people should behave or what they should believe. The subtext life-lesson is usually unspoken, but it is obvious to observant listeners. Parables are straightforward and obvious; they don’t teach hidden or secret truths. Each parable has a point that the spiritually observant listener should understand. All listeners hear a good story, while the spiritually observant listener hears a word from God. 

    “Christians should become like Jesus and speak in stories Jesus told parables to put His listeners on the road to truth. I’m attempting to imitate Jesus by crafting stories that will put listeners on the road to truth.”