Paul, Priscilla & Aquila - Tentmakers

As a young businessman eager to integrate my faith with my daily work, I found myself searching for practical examples of how this could be done. I knew that my faith was supposed to shape every part of my life, including my business, but I didn’t fully understand how to live that out in a meaningful way.

I had questions: How can I honour God in my work? How can I align my business goals with my Christian values? Was there anyone in the Bible who combined their vocation with ministry in such a way that it became an example for modern-day believers in business?

It was during this time of searching that I met Dr David Bertch, a professor at the Amsterdam Tyndale Theological Seminary. Dr Bertch’s invitation to a series of breakfast meetings would turn out to be one of the most impactful experiences in my journey as a Christian businessman. He invited me and several of my colleagues to a series of ten breakfast sessions at a local hotel.

During these meetings, Dr Bertch introduced Paul the Tentmaker as an exemplary model of a Christian businessman with a divine purpose. At first, I was sceptical. I read about Paul as a prominent apostle, a missionary who travelled far and wide, spreading the message of Jesus Christ. I didn’t think of him as someone who worked in the marketplace, let alone as a businessman.

Paul the Tentmaker

 However, as Dr Bertch delved into Paul’s life, I began to see how my preconceptions about his role in the New Testament were incomplete. Through the course of these sessions, I was surprised to learn how much of Paul’s time was spent working in the marketplace, particularly as a tentmaker. Paul’s work wasn’t just a means to support himself financially, although that was certainly a part of it. His tentmaking was integral to his ministry, providing him with opportunities to build relationships, engage with people outside the church, and spread the gospel. In fact, much of Paul’s ministry took place in the context of his work.

 

 Whether in Corinth, Ephesus, or elsewhere, Paul’s profession opened doors for him to meet people, share the gospel, and make disciples.  What stood out to me was the intentionality behind Paul’s work. He was not working just for financial gain or out of necessity. Paul used his profession as a strategic tool for ministry, integrating his daily work with his Christian mission. He wasn’t just a preacher in synagogues or marketplaces; he was a businessman who understood the value of building relationships, earning respect, and using his skills for a higher purpose.

Paul’s example challenged my understanding of work as merely a means to earn money or climb the corporate ladder. Instead, it reframed my perspective on business as a platform for ministry. I began to realise that the marketplace isn’t just a place for commerce—it is a place where the kingdom of God can be advanced through intentional actions, relationship-building, and service to others. Paul’s ability to balance his work with his ministry showed me that my business could serve as a mission field, and that my everyday work could become an extension of my Christian calling.

Through those breakfast meetings with Dr Bertch, I learned that being a successful Christian businessman isn’t about compartmentalising faith and work. It’s about integrating the two in a way that honours God, serves others, and furthers the gospel. Paul the Tentmaker became a model for me, teaching me that business can be more than just a job—it can be a ministry.

Paul, Aquila and Priscilla – Tentmakers

Since then, I have studied more about the tentmaking work of Paul, together with his friends, Aquila and Priscilla. Out of this study, I have written a book and a Bible study.

In today’s fast-paced, often secular work environments, it can feel challenging to reconcile faith with the demands of the workplace. Christians in business, education, healthcare, arts, and other professions frequently find themselves navigating the delicate balance between excelling in their careers and being a witness for Christ. In this book, we draw inspiration from the lives of Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla—three individuals whose work as tentmakers not only shaped their lives but also became a platform for sharing the gospel.

I am not a theologian, but have been a Christian in the marketplace for over 40 years. Throughout this time, I have sought to share Christ with those I work with. This is not a book about modern missiology or large-scale mission projects, but rather a practical exploration of how you, as a Christian, can live out your faith in the workplace, just as these early Christian workers did.

 

Through a virtual journey in the cities where Paul, Priscilla and Aquila worked,, this book highlights where he worked, spread the gospel, and demonstrated the principles of hard work, integrity, and faithful service. Their lives serve as an inspiring model for Christians today who seek to be faithful in their professional roles while making an impact for Christ.

 

 

Blog series

In this new blog series, we will explore how Paul’s work as a tentmaker in different cities reflects the diversity of today’s work environments. From the bustling marketplaces of Corinth to the intellectual hubs of Athens, Paul adjusted his approach to sharing the gospel according to the context. Likewise, Christians today must be flexible in how we approach our work and witness, recognising that different workplaces and industries may require different approaches to living out our faith.

The book is available from your local Amazon, either as a paperback or e-book. Alternatively, you can visit the Compass bookstore.