“Opportunities”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Monday, September 23, 2024

Acts 18: 1-11 (Forward, p. 56) CEV p. 1157

Here we see the curtain lifted, just a wee bit, on the dynamics of Saint Paul’s ministry. Elsewhere, he speaks of how the other apostles relied upon the financial support of local congregations, but that he didn’t. Here we see how this was possible, at least the short term. When Paul arrived in Corinth, he met Aquila and Priscilla, who just ‘happened’ to share the same trade as himself, that of being a tent maker or leather worker, and so he decided to work alongside them. Now we, who are accustomed to clergy being paid, may find this surprising, but this was normative for rabbis at the time of Jesus. Every rabbi was expected to have a trade and earn his own living, so as not to be a burden on others.

Now with Paul, Aquila and Priscilla, their association came with a quadruple blessing. They had the comradery, history, ethos, and experience of a shared trade. They could share workspace, tools and whatever furniture was necessary. They had the experience of knowing persecution and displacement on account of their faith. And, with these two believers in particular, there was a depth of knowledge of the nuances of the Christian faith, such that they were amply able to teach and instruct others. What a joy their association must have been for Paul—and what a great and wonderful opportunity!

But then, when Paul and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, possibly with a donation from the church in Philippi, Paul was able to quit this for the time being and devote himself entirely to his work of preaching. But even this change of practice may have been temporary. In Ephesus, after finding the synagogue to be unsympathetic, he resorted to the hall of a philosopher named Tyrannus and preached there from 11:00 am. To 4:00 p.m. daily. Now, why might that be? It is probably because that was the only time during the day when the hall was available, for people generally took a siesta during those hours, given that the heat was too oppressive to work then. So, did Paul ply his trade before and after those hours? We simply don’t know, but we do know that he made the best of the opportunity that lay before him.

What this says to me is that we should likewise be open, and available, to whatever opportunity lies before us—whether that opportunity be one of time or place or financial support or fellow labourers. You never know just how, or when God might choose to use us. Thanks be to God.

Forward notes: “Because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together—by trade they were tentmakers” (verse 3).

“For years, I wrestled with my occupation. I have many interests: some can provide for me financially, others not so much.

“Singing was my occupation for many years, but it never paid the rent. It took time for me to learn that not every gift or passion becomes a career. Some joys are better as hobbies, while others, like Paul’s trade as a tentmaker, provide the financial resources for daily life.

“A wise man once told me, ‘Here in Mexico, we work to live, not live to work.’ From a financial perspective, he was not a wealthy man, but I think he understood a balance that eludes many of us. I often think of his words as I practice gratitude for the time I can spend doing what I enjoy most and the time I must spend doing jobs that pay the bills.”

Moving Forward: “Did you know Forward Movement donates resources to nursing homes, hospitals, and prisons? Scan the QR code on the inside cover to learn how you can help in this vital ministry.”