Old Tents, New Patches
Acts 18:3-4
3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
OBSERVATION
It is interesting but culturally, it must have made sense for Paul to be possess tent-making skills. Tents as the Bedouins used them in the Middle East were made of black coarse goat hair. It was the primary material used to make tents in which all nomads lived, different from burlap material. It was also the common practice that no new tents were made routinely but old tents were simply repaired, patched up, sections replaced, especially the top portion which will be used as side panels.
Our life and ministry are intertwined where we should not have a demarcation between work, life and ministry but they should all be part of our whole life. This is the reason why our lives must be consistent whether at home, at work or at church. We should be no holier at church than at home or at work. Our lives are an extension of our parents who raised us and our children should be an extension of who we are. Just as tents were patched up and handed down through generations, our faith must be resilient so that when our children are ready to take ownership of their faith, it is part of the old tent as well as new patches that they will add to the whole tent.
APPLICATION
Be extending at work, consistent at home and diligent at church. Be joyful with the hand-me-down tent because it is part of my heritage and blessings.
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for your grace and blessings of skills that we have, to honor your name by employing those skills at home, at work and at church. Cleanse my heart so that my thoughts and my words are pleasing in Your sight. Guide and protect Michael, especially in his new position in the unit. Bless Joshua as he strives to improve his grades and fill Daniel with peace and joy as he spends the day at school. I love you, Lord Jesus and it’s in your name I pray. Amen.