Work During the Week- Witness On the Sabbath.

Act 18:1  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 

Act 18:2  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 

Act 18:3  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 

Act 18:4  And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 

Paul was a tentmaker.  Paul didn't give up making tents when he became a disciple of Christ's. Did he make tents full time? No. He was busy traveling and spreading the gospel. However, when he could he worked his trade. His hands were never idle. He didn't expect to live off the hospitality of people without contributing.

Because he was of the same craft he stayed with the Jews recently displaced from Rome, Aquila and Priscilla.  Staying with them he made tents with them but on the Sabbath he went to their synagogue and once again, he reasoned with those worshipping there- Jews and Greeks.

Paul didn't go into the synagogue and keep quiet about his new found conviction. The disciple went there Sabbath after Sabbath and witnessed of Jesus Christ.  He went into the place of worship where Jews were fulfilling their rituals- the sacrifices made daily were still being made, the same messages were being preached that had been preached for thousands of years. They were going on as if Jesus had not come to save them by the sacrifice of Himself. Paul went into these places of worship and when it was time for people to speak, he spoke of Christ.

We need to respect the beliefs of others - always because in respecting the beliefs we are in truth respecting our fellowman. We don't have to accept something to respect it and by respecting it there is no abuse against it, but rather the Love of God can be allowed to shine forth.  Paul respected the Jews and they allowed him to worship in their synagogue.  Having been thrown out of several synagogues for his preaching of what the mainstream considered blasphemy- having been stoned, whipped, beaten- he still continued to enter synagogues and witness. 

Working his trade, witnessing when he could… Paul is an example for us all.

May God help us to live as we are called to live, just as Paul lived as he was called to live. We may not be called to live Paul's path because we each have our own.  By the grace and mercy of the Lord we will live for Him and He will live through us, may HIS will be done, always!