Are You A Tentmaker?
Paul supported his ministry by making and mending tents, among other things I imagine. Apparently some people felt he shouldn't be supported financially because he wasn't one of the twelve. In this chapter, Paul states his case of being as much an apostle as the twelve and having the same rights for him and a family to be financially provided for.
Many of us devote our lives to the service of the church and spreading the Gospel. Many pastors and other "official" church ministers must work additional jobs to support their families. And many long to be in "full-time" ministry. Verse 6 made me think of a jealous church volunteer who complains about all they do and not properly compensated for. Usually this attitude stays deep within the person, rarely if ever, spoken aloud - except maybe to God in the form of a prayer request.
Paul understood the value of paying his own way. He did as much work and accomplished as much as anyone, yet he chose not to quit his "day job" and demand his rights. If you work a non-ministry job to support your family and use your spare time for ministry, you're a tentmaker, and you're in good company.
Many of us devote our lives to the service of the church and spreading the Gospel. Many pastors and other "official" church ministers must work additional jobs to support their families. And many long to be in "full-time" ministry. Verse 6 made me think of a jealous church volunteer who complains about all they do and not properly compensated for. Usually this attitude stays deep within the person, rarely if ever, spoken aloud - except maybe to God in the form of a prayer request.
Paul understood the value of paying his own way. He did as much work and accomplished as much as anyone, yet he chose not to quit his "day job" and demand his rights. If you work a non-ministry job to support your family and use your spare time for ministry, you're a tentmaker, and you're in good company.
