As an apostle, Paul tells the brethren at Corinth who had some problems to iron out as they examined his motives in working with them, "My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working? Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and does not eat of the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock? I am not speaking these things according to human judgment , am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? For it is written, 'You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.' God is not concerned about oxen is he? Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it is written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we should reap material things from you? If others share the right over you, do not we more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ." (1 Corinthians 9:3-12). So even though Paul had every right to be paid for working with them at Corinth, he did not, but worked so that he would not be charged of working with them only for the money, and not for their soul's sake.

That brings us to our question, "What was Paul's secular job?". Paul talked of them also having the right to take a wife as many people in the world do as the son of David, Solomon writes, "Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life, and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or wisdom in Sheol where you are going." (Ecclesiastes 9:9-10) "Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart." (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20).

The Lord tells us about the worrying about toils of life each day, "Do not be anxious then saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?' For all these thing the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all of these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:31-34). Life and the difficulties that sometimes entangle us can seem overwhelming, but if we put our trust in the Lord and obey Him in righteousness, He will comfort and His promise is that these things will be added to us. We must strive to carry our own burden , but be ready to help those in need (Galatians 6:1-6).

Paul tells those in Thessalonica, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you that you might follow our example. For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat your own bread. But as for you brethren, do not weary of doing good." (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13).

Paul tells Timothy, "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ. And in the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these thing entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." (2 Timothy 2:1-7). So Paul worked as a good example in teaching others of Christ and was concerned for all the brethren, "For I wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh," "Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation." (Romans 9:3 & 10:1).

And so for our answer to our question, we turn to the book of Acts where we read, "And he found a certain Jew named Aquilla, a native of Pontus, having recently come with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tentmakers." (Acts 18:2-3).

So there we have the answer, as Paul was a "tentmaker"! Let us be workers for the Lord!