Witness while you work
Because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Acts 18:3
I used to think that being in full time ministry meant that you worked at a church or on the mission field somewhere. My perception was always that mostly only Pastors and missionaries were full time minister. Now I understand that all God’s people are in full time ministry. Our mission field is wherever we are each day. It doesn’t matter if you work in a church or are a student in school. You are still in ministry if you have a job as a banker or a laborer of some kind, you are there to be God’s light and witness to those around you.
In today’s reading, Paul met a couple who were tent makers, just as he had been. This is the first time that has come up in the scripture. I haven’t seen anything so far in the book of Acts that Paul worked a job, only that he preached the gospel everywhere he went. So here in Corinth, he stepped into a tentmaker position with Aquilla and Priscilla. He became an employee and submitted to an employer. On the Sabbath, he went into the synagogue and talked about salvation, but during the week he made tents and talked about salvation. Everywhere and all the time, Paul was telling others about the good news of salvation in Jesus. He witnessed to others while he worked, everyday wherever he was. Paul became the light in every dark city that he went to.
This is our job still today. We are in full time ministry, and it is our job to witness while we work and witness while we play. Wherever we are, we are the light of the world and the people we come into contact with should all have the opportunity to hear the good news of the love of God and the provision He made for all people everywhere. If our message is not received, we can, like Paul did, shake it off. We can walk away knowing we did our part to be God’s witness and pray that the words we spoke in love will grow up in the hearts of all who heard.
In verse 9-10 in today’s reading, Jesus spoke to Paul in a dream. (We know it was Jesus because it is in red letters.) I believe the words He spoke to Paul in the dream were recorded so that we can hold to them still today. He said: “Don’t ever be afraid. Speak the words that I give you and don’t be intimidated, because I am with you. No one will be able to hurt you, for there are many whom I call my own.”
Even though it may be uncomfortable at first to be a daily minster of God’s love and goodness, we can remember these words that were given to Paul so many years ago and be encouraged by never being afraid to speak what the Holy Spirit puts into our hearts to say. Don’t be intimidated by those around you because He is always with you. Nobody is going to hurt you because when you stand up for your faith, you will find that there are many others that believe also.
Today I want to encourage you to witness while you work. Wherever you are today, listing internally to any nudges you hear from the Spirit of God inside you. Speak the words in kindness and love. Let those around you know that there is hope in the dark world around us and that God wants to be close to them all the time. Let others know that we don’t have to be afraid because when we call on God, He will answer, and He will save. Be the light everywhere you go today. Remember you are in full time ministry no matter what you are doing.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 18:1-17
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.
2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.
8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”
11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat,
13 saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you.
15 But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.”
16 And he drove them from the judgment seat.
17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.
The Daily Dose 