Perspectives Of A Tentmaker

Perspectives of a Tentmaker

1 Timothy 6:1-10

What kind of bosses do you work for? What type of a boss do your employees think about you? As for me, I had many. One of them has a mouth as foul as a sewer. But if you get to know him, his heart is as tender as a newborn’s skin. The one before him sang in a choir. She was tough as nails but kind as a ray of sunshine. She loves baking. Brought cookies all the time. Over the last many years, I had bosses who were weird. Some should have never been. Those who made my life miserable. God used them all to develop who I am.

The title of today’s message is Perspectives of a Tentmaker. That was the apostle Paul’s occupation besides from being a pastor, missionary, ended as martyr of Christ. One of the many things which I’m most grateful for is for MPCBC to bring me on as a bivo. Short for bivocational.

A bivocational pastor is someone who has a regular job (tentmaker). Job to supplement income and support their family. Some do it out of necessity because some churches can't afford a full-time pastor. But that’s not the case with this church. Yes, I do it to support my family, help my parents, provide for my sister who is a researcher, and to also make it possible for me to continue with school. It is also a platform for me to serve others outside of the church.

I do consider it a blessing to be on both sides of the spectrum. As a pastor/student, I study the Word and handle it the best I can. I place God’s Word to take precedence in my life - to live, serve, to study and teach. It is also to test my conviction. As a worker who is also a follower of Christ, I am a type of minister for my co-workers, my superiors, and my customers. Every work I do is motivated by the gifts God has given me both here at church and at the office. I have many roles. Husband to my wife, father to my children, son to my elderly parents, brother to my siblings, yokefellow with everyone at church. I consider all as God’s purpose for my life. These many roles help me to become a better bondservant of God, an effective employee for my company, and a faithful minister for this community of believers.

Just as Paul brings a perspective as God’s instrument in both his occupation and ministry, similarly you have a calling to live out your purpose for the people you are responsible for. I enjoy being able to speak to you as one who knows what you experience on a daily basis. I enjoy the conversations about our jobs. I can speak with confidence about the challenges you face by sharing my perspectives. You too bring perspectives from a different angle depending on the demographic of your job. Together, as believers and followers of Christ, we can encourage, empathize, and edify one another. That’s the beauty of fellowship. God puts us together. There’s power.

The apostle Paul breaks away from spiritual talk to something more practical in the passage we read today. He talks about those who are under the yoke as bondservants. The NIV interprets it as slavery which is accurate because in ancient Rome and many part of the middle-east, people who were in debt worked for their borrowers to form an economy as doulos (slaves) and despotes (masters).

I am very grateful that our study of 1 Timothy has led us to these practical advices especially during this time of the year. The holidays are upon us. Many of us are taking time off and will be returning to the grind after the New Year. Paul is teaching young Timothy how to minister to believers in the church of Ephesus who are like you and me – every day ordinary people. Those who have careers, professionals, both employees and employers and most importantly, those who are in the faith.

If a boss is worthy of honor, you do not have problems pleasing them. If your boss is worthy of respect, you would not be talking at them, complaining, or gossiping about them. Respect also means valuing. You value their leadership. Now on the other hand, if the boss is not worthy of honor or respect (we have worked for many of those), still, “regard them as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and everything you have learned from the teaching of the Bible is not reviled.” Same word for blasphemed. It is a blasphemy for a Christian to disrespect their earthly masters.

TBH I have considered some bosses undeserving of respect. Still, I believe in the work I do, the contribution I make, the commitment to fulfill my responsibilities. Most of all, I stand for righteousness. My integrity represents my allegiance to the heavenly Shepherd, not my earthly supervisor. If you believe God has put you there to do a job, believe also that God can teach you important lessons. How to overcome adversities; emerge to be smarter; advance in knowledge; grow in wisdom. God wants to develop you as a leader in the future, to mentor others, to be salt and light of this world. Always think of your work as investing in God’s kingdom.