The answer is: Tentmaker

Acts 18:3 - it was custom for the Jews to bring all children up in a trade. Tentmaking was Paul's trade.

Paul, the Apostle, is often celebrated for his theological insights and missionary journeys. But did you know he also had a solid profession? As a tentmaker—in a time before modern housing and camping gear became popular—that means he crafted more than simple shelter. Tents were essential for nomadic tribes and served both the common Jew and the pestering elements of nature.

In Acts 18:3, we find Paul's tentmaking highlighted, though it might seem like just a hobby. This practicality underscores a long-held Jewish tradition where children learned trades, ensuring they could support themselves financially. Picture Paul, scissors in hand or needle and thread at the ready, mixing work and worship and showing that physical labor and spiritual pursuit are sacred pursuits.

Aside from just supporting himself, it’s fascinating how his trade also facilitated connections. As he worked alongside Aquila and Priscilla, he didn’t just make tents; he engaged with people, forming relationships and spreading his faith organically. This intersection of daily work and spiritual life echoes throughout biblical narratives. Take, for example, the way Jesus interacted with fishermen, showing the natural mingling of the personal and spiritual.

Tentmaking might seem trivial, but it reinforces the idea that everyday life—whatever pursuits we take on—is part and parcel of our spiritual journey. Paul’s profession reminds us that the divine often meets us in the grind of daily sweat and toil. Wouldn't you say that's a lesson worth embracing?