Several years ago, my wife and I were seeking a designer to remodel our home. We had asked several friends who had recently done a remodel and one of them used a designer whom we both knew and were mutual friends. He had an excellent reputation so we were surprised to learn that our friend did not use him. When we inquired about the reason, he replied, “He is an excellent designer. However, because we are friends, in case something goes wrong, I didn’t want anything to come in between our friendship. So we opted to go with another designer. It was nothing personal.”
I understood. Many of us turn to our friends for assistance, especially if they have an occupation or skill that can help us. However, even in the best of situations, problems and conflicts may arise. As the old adage states, sometimes it is better not to mix business with pleasure. Perhaps the Apostle Paul may have even experienced this. In the Book of Acts, Dr. Luke records that Paul’s occupation was a tentmaker.
Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.
Acts 18:1-3 (NLT)
The Bible does not record any incidents when Paul may have run into conflict between his relationships with his business associates and those with whom he ministered the Gospel. However, relationships have not radically changed in over two thousand years and it may have happened. Relationships with others may be fraught with personal misgivings because we may not want to share intimate personal details or jeopardize a friendship. This is never the case with God. He is intimately involved in everything we do. He is there when we make business decisions as well as implementing personal decisions. Why? He knows us better than we know ourselves! He created us and wants us to experience the richness of a life that He has prepared for us.
Nothing personal?
Thanks be to God that He is always personal with us!
Amen!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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