The New Testament is full of "marketplace" or workplace ministers, ranging from John the fisherman and Matthew the tax collector, to Paul the tentmaker and Jesus the carpenter.

Jesus Himself, our Lord and Savior, although both a priest (the great "High Priest" in Hebrews 7:26) and king (the "King of kings" in Revelation 19:16), was in His early career a carpenter or builder, who earned His living working in the marketplace just like most of us. He is the archetypical and consummate "marketplace minister" who made 122 of His 132 recorded public appearances in the marketplace, and called 12 disciples around Him who were also from trade and business backgrounds.

The other towering New Testament figure is Paul the Apostle, who, although taught and trained in the Pharisaic tradition of Judaism, actually earned his living making tents (as did his companions Priscilla and Aquila), which by all accounts was a lucrative trade in the time of Paul. For Paul, it was an ideal way to earn a living—requiring minimum plant and equipment, and able to be set up almost anywhere with minimum preparation.

Our Ministry In The Marketplace

For Paul, the ability to earn his own living was an important part of his ministry. He preached to others that they should "owe no man anything" ( Rom. 13:8) and that people should work for a living: "We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this … in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat'" (2 Thess. 3:7-10, NIV).

Paul then sets an example for modern day marketplace or workplace ministers—in Ed Silvoso’s words, our job is our “pulpit” and our workplace is our "parish." We are called to be laborers in the fields around us that are "white unto harvest," and to go into all the world (Greek "kosmos" or "culture") and preach the Good News to all creation (Mark 16:15). We are called to work and minister right where God has placed us, be it in a business office, a school room, a sound stage, a pulpit or a law court.

We are "culture missionaries," called into our own circles of influence and environment, to be illuminating light and cleansing salt, and to lead by setting an example of excellence and integrity in all we say and do. As Jesus Himself says: "You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:13, 14 and 16).