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 great apostle, was indeed a tentmaker, which is super interesting when you think about it! In Acts 18:3, we find him working alongside Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth, creating tents to support his mission of spreading the Gospel. This may seem humble, but here’s where it gets fascinating: tentmaking ties him to resilience. Imagine a guy spreading a radical message of love and inclusiveness while working diligently with his hands!

Being a tradesman wasn’t just about making a living; for Jewish families, it was a way to instill hard work and self-sufficiency. Paul's choice to maintain his craft while preaching mirrors the wisdom found in Proverbs that emphasizes the value of diligence. Plus, his experience allows him to relate to everyone, from the wealthy to the laborers.

This fact about Paul’s trade confirms that you don’t have to completely leave behind your everyday life to pursue a higher purpose. It's like seamless weaving—a mix of practicality and passion. Did you know? Tents were essential in the ancient world, symbolizing shelter, impermanence, and community gatherings, which aligns perfectly with the message of the early Church., which aimed to provide a safe haven for its followers amid persecution.

So, in Paul’s tent, one could see the beginning of a movement united through shared experiences, offering both physical shelter and spiritual kinship. Each stitch in those tents could symbolically represent the coming together of community, God’s presence among them!