The Secret Funding Model Behind the Early Church

I've been diving deep into some fascinating research about how ministry was funded for the early church lately, and I stumbled across something that completely shifted my perspective on tentmaking ministry. It's the concept of "Kingdom Investors" - and honestly, it's got me thinking about how we've been approaching this whole thing.

The Biblical Blueprint for Kingdom Investment

You know how we always talk about Paul making tents? Well, that's just the tip of the iceberg. The early church was actually powered by an incredible network of Kingdom Investors - people who understood that their resources weren't just for personal gain, but for advancing God's kingdom.

Take Lydia, for instance. She was a successful merchant dealing in purple cloth (think luxury goods of her day). But when she encountered Paul's message, she didn't just get baptized and call it a day. She immediately opened her home, provided hospitality, and essentially became the financial backbone for the church in Philippi. Her business became her ministry platform.

Or consider Joanna, who was married to Chuza (Herod's household manager - talk about a high-level position!). She, along with other women, financially supported Jesus and the twelve disciples "out of their own means." These weren't just donors; they were strategic kingdom investors who understood that their calling wasn't separate from their resources.

The Transformation Jesus Brought

Here's what really gets me excited: Jesus didn't just accept the conventional wisdom about money and business. He transformed it. While the Old Testament gave us solid financial principles - honor God first, work diligently, avoid debt, save consistently - Jesus added a kingdom dimension that changes everything.

He taught us to see our earthly resources as tools for heavenly investment. "Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings" (Luke 16:9). That's not just about giving to charity - that's about strategic kingdom investment.

Your Tentmaking Calling Isn't Plan B

This is where I want to challenge something I hear way too often in the church. Too many tentmaking pastors and Christian leaders think their secular work is somehow "less than" full-time ministry. But look at these biblical examples! Aquila and Priscilla weren't just making tents to pay the bills - they were using their business as a ministry platform, hosting churches in their home, and literally risking their lives for the gospel. They moved at least three times (Ephesus, Rome and Corinth) and their portable business enabled that!

The reality is, God has strategically positioned you in the marketplace not as a backup plan, but as part of His primary strategy for kingdom advancement. Your business skills, your professional networks, your financial resources - they're all part of your calling, not separate from it. And if you're looking in to tentmaking but haven't yet made the jump - then that's the potential!

(Equally this doesn't take away from those who's main income is still from a local church - that's still currently my position. Your desire for additional income could be supplementing (which is where Chris started), providing for others, or realising that your calling is to care for and lead other leaders in this tentmaking direction. It's all good!)

The Modern Kingdom Investment Opportunity

Chris and I have been dreaming up something that we hope will be a game-changer as we position Tentmakingpastors as a global resource. It's called "The 5-Step Tentmaking Blueprint: How To Build Scalable Income Without Burning Out," and it addresses the exact challenges I see so many of you facing - and that Chris and I faced.

Because here's the thing - most tentmaking pastors I know are stuck in survival mode. They're working multiple jobs, burning out, and never quite finding that sweet spot where their secular work actually enhances their ministry instead of competing with it.

Beyond Just Making Money

The Kingdom Investors in the early church understood something crucial: it's not just about money. Lydia offered her home. Aquila and Priscilla shared their trade skills. Barnabas sold property. Phoebe used her social connections and influence.

Your tentmaking journey isn't just about generating income - it's about leveraging every resource God has given you for kingdom impact. That might be your professional expertise, your business network, your physical assets, or yes, your financial resources.

The Identity Shift That Changes Everything

There's a massive identity shift that needs to happen for most of us. Tentmaking isn't a secondary calling! It's part of God's plan to release ministry and mission - and the majority of the early church was funding at least in part in this way.

When you make that shift, everything changes. You realise that you're standing in a rich stream of church history. Your workplace becomes a mission field. Your business becomes a ministry platform. Your financial success becomes a tool for kingdom advancement. You're not just surviving in dual roles - you're thriving in integrated calling.

What's Next?

Chris and I hosting a special webinar in a few weeks where we'll be sharing the complete 5-Step Tentmaking Blueprint. We'll cover the theological foundation that settles the "is this really God's will?" question once and for all, the mindset shifts that move you from surviving to thriving, and practical strategies for finding scalable income models that actually work.

But more than that, we'll talk about how to cast vision for this calling without guilt, how to find the right mentorship, and how to avoid the endless rabbit trails that keep so many tentmakers stuck.

Your Resources Matter to God's Kingdom

Here's what I want you to remember: your resources - financial, professional, relational, physical - they all matter to God's kingdom. The early church was built by people who understood this. They weren't just giving their spare change; they were investing their lives, their businesses, their homes, their networks.

You're part of that same tradition. Your tentmaking calling isn't a compromise - it's a strategic kingdom investment opportunity.

Looking forward to seeing you on the webinar. Let's stop just surviving and start thriving in the calling God has given us.

Grace and peace,
Simon