Sustainability is about endurance. Our purpose and passion are not always the same as our livelihood; our purpose is to glorify God, and our passion is how we fulfill that purpose. Our livelihood is our vocation, which supports our purpose and passion. Paul was a tentmaker. That was his day job; it funded his ministry.
Acts 18:3, “and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade, they were tentmakers. “
Paul continued to pursue his vocation as a tentmaker throughout his life, including during the time he was an enforcer for the Sanhedrin and after his conversion. We can assume he was pretty skilled at it. However, being skilled at something and having a passion for it are two very different things.
Having a Skill
Every person, of every degree, state, sex, or condition, without exception, must have some personal and particular calling to walk in. –William Perkins, A Treatise of the Vocations
We often confuse being skilled at something with being passionate about it. After all, to excel at something, you need to practice, learn, and dedicate time to it. Why would anyone invest so much effort in something they don’t feel passionate about? There are many reasons. You might believe that your material life would improve if you pursued this particular career. Or you could feel more accepted in your social circle if you possessed a specific skill. For some children, their parents instill the idea that they should pursue a particular profession when they grow up, leading them to chase it to make their parents happy.
In America, I often see that after finishing school, we need to start earning a living. We aren’t always aware of what options are out there, so we take whatever job is available. Sometimes we do some basic filtering, like: I enjoy talking to people, or I dislike working with numbers. But mostly, we need to pay the rent. This begins a vicious cycle of more bills, more money, more obligations, and more expenses. We become skilled at something because it fulfills and sustains this essential need. Sustainability of life is a requirement for sustainability of purpose.
Having a Passion
But the vocation that Paul excelled in was not his passion. When asked who he was, he would not have said “tentmaker”.
1 Corinthians 16-17, “For when I preach the Gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.”
Paul expresses his passion for preaching the word. He felt compelled to preach. Paul had a clear understanding of his calling and love, and it wasn’t about tentmaking.
As we look toward the future to understand God’s plan for our lives, we should learn a lesson from Paul. Our vocation may be a vital part of God’s plan for us, providing sustainability in our ministry. We might not need or want to quit our “day job” as we get closer to God’s plan. It might not be our passion, but it could be part of the plan. It is a skill and a resource God has given us to use for His purpose.
Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters.”
Compensation
I need to point out that Paul believed those who share the Gospel could receive compensation. If full-time ministry is your calling, then God will find a way for you to earn a living from it. Here is what Paul says:
1 Corinthians 9:11 “If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?”
1 Corinthians 9:14, “the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the Gospel.”
Galatians 6:6 “One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.”
Sustainability matters. If what you are pursuing is truly God’s plan for you, He will supply the necessary resources. From experience, I should remind you that the present shapes the future by using the past. The season of your life might change. Don’t see that as a lack of sustainability. Instead, view it as the cost of tuition.