I have been pondering this question the last few days.
Why did Paul make tents?
Was it because he thought God wouldn't provide for him?
Maybe it was to be among the people?
Maybe he was bored one day?
Or maybe it was because he needed some money?
Or maybe he knew God gave him an ability to make quality tents? I'm sure they were the first MSR tents in production.
Maybe it was because brothers and sisters he knew needed money to carry out their destiny?
I am sure it was because he needed a tent! Then once you get a tent you have time to ponder deeper questions in life.
What do you think?
4 comments:
Good question! A number of things popped into my head that center around God giving the power to attain wealth to extend His kingdom. Wealth might be an overstatement for tent making, but sometimes you just have to make a little money so you can keep on doing what you're doing.
Another though also struck me that never occurred to me before I read your post. Maybe it was people. Maybe he had relationships in his tent-making circles that he was able to maintain by staying in that line of work. Maybe he wasn't willing to give up his brotherhood with his tent-maker-peeps because he loved them and knew that he was the only connection to Jesus they had. I haven't really thought of Paul that way before, but you never know...
I don't know, why not make tents?
I feel like in our lives we don't really have to worry that much about our plans for the future. If something comes up that you're interested in, just try to do it, and if God doesn't want you to do it, he'll let you know, right?
Jobs are good. Free money is good. Giving away money is good. Don't worry.
maybe he liked camping?
I do believe we are called to work. To generate provision for ourselves. Whether it's gathering berries and water (savages?), building a shack and harvesting our food (settlers), providing a product or service people pay for so we can buy the shelter and food...whatever. Not to minimize the issue, but maybe he did it just to pay for his room and board. Maybe he wanted funds people could have supported him with...to go to widows and orphans who didn't have the ability to make tents?
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