Acts 18:5-6

When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

 

Until Silas and Timothy came, Paul set the pattern for a tent-maker missionary. But after their arrival, Paul set the pattern for a supported missionary: he “devoted himself exclusively to preaching.” Before he had merely been reasoning with people on the Sabbath while he worked on tents throughout the week (vv. 3-4); now that was Paul’s one occupation. So Silas and Timothy must either have brought a gift from the believers with them, or have brought their prior earnings along, or have been working to support themselves and Paul so that Paul could be freed for ministry. One way or another, their arrival turned Paul from a tent-maker missionary into a fully-supported missionary for a while as they were there in Corinth. Either way, Paul’s support did not come from the Corinthians as he ministered freely to them (1 Cor. 9:1-19).

 

But even for Paul, full-time ministry did not necessarily give better results than part-time ministry. As he testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ, they opposed him. They became abusive, speaking out against Jesus in derogatory ways. Paul found that his ministry among the Jews there in Corinth did not benefit from his freedom to minister to them full-time. He turned away from them, still warning them that their rejection of Jesus their King would end up in death (“Your blood be on your own heads!”). Paul had fulfilled his responsibility to them, though, by telling them plainly that Jesus is the Christ. So their rejection gave Paul the freedom to turn from the Corinthian Jews to the Corinthian Gentiles.

 

Father, thank You that You provide for Your servants. As I think about serving as a missionary, thank You that whatever Christy and I do, we will be able to offer the gospel to people free of charge. You will provide for us, like you did for Paul, whether through the hard work of our own hands or through the sacrificial giving of our partners in the ministry, our sending churches. Thank You also for the reminder that full-time work does not necessarily mean better results. We must simply be faithful to serve You, proclaiming clearly to everyone that Jesus is King. Thank You that the burden of making sure that people change is not on our shoulders; even Paul could not guarantee changed hearts. Your expectations are light, and Your provision for us is great. Thank You.