"And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers" Acts 18.3.
    If you turn to this passage and read the prededing two verses you will learn that Aquilla and Priscilla and Paul were tentmakers. You could say they were in the mobil home manufacture and sales business. They had their own business.
    In 1Cor.9, Paul clearly lays out that the Lord has ordained that those who preach the gospel are to be supported by that work. Yet he chose not to use that for himself--"But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me" 1Cor.9.15. His determination was to present the gospel of Christ "without charge" 1 Cor.9.18.
    In 2Thessalonians 3.6-15, he enjoins the people to follow his example in laboring so he could provide for his own rather than depending on others to provide for him.
This was the teaching that he passed on to the churches, and commanded that if anybody was lazy, and had nothing more to do than to just go around being a busybody in others people's affairs, and who refused to obey this word about working, they were to be dealt with clearly before all, for all to see.
    He told Titus that our people were to learn to maintain good works for necessary uses so they would not be unfruitful. Titus 3.14.
    Paul gave clear example to all of the grace of God that led him to minister to his own "necessities" and "to them that were with me", not coveting any person's silver, gold, or apparel. He supported those who were with him, based on Jesus' teaching, "It is more blessed to give than to receive". Acts 20.33-35.
    Paul was not poor nor broke. He had an active means to support the ministry that God had entrusted to him, to finish his course with joy. He considered it all the operation of the grace of God in him. 1Cor.15.10.
    Did Paul teach on giving? Absolutely. The saints need to know the joy and rewards of giving. The move of God is directly tied to giving. Just read the book of Acts and see how they sold lands and possessions and gave to the ministry of the gospel. Acts 2.45.
    Did Paul receive gifts? Absolutely. He was not doing what he was doing out of a motive of pride and independence. He would not deny a blessing to someone who desired to give to him, because those who give to an anointed ministry will be blessed. This principle is throughout the Word. Philp.1.4-6;  4.14-19.
    Paul's clear motive was to be in the position to fulfill all that God had called him to do, with no strings attached and with no limitations.
    Obviously, when he sat for years in prison, his entreprenural activites were severely curtailed if not stopped altogether. It is evident that he was known to have money, or at least was worth money in some way, because Felix was constantly trying to bribe him. Acts 24.24-26.
    So, we see that there is a time for all things. Go with the flow.
    Am I saying it is wrong to take an offering? No. If anything, it is wrong to not take an offering. Giving is a part of worship. It should be done with faith, hilarious joy and celebration, and with named and expected results, complete with testimonies. The church has been robbed of the blessing of giving in worship by traditional ways of "taking the offering". Proper giving releases prosperity in every realm of life, spirit, soul, body, and finances.
    Here's the point of this message: God's desire is for us all to succeed and prosper in every realm of life. It's God's will for a person/couple/ministry to "labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth" Eph.4.28. Occupational involvement is clearly endorsed and commanded in the scriptures. Jesus taught us to use good principles of making wise investments for the most return on our money/effort. Matt.25.14-30.
    This can be in a craft. This can be in the realm of making wise financial investments. This can be in a conventional business or a home-based business. God will give ideas, divine appointments, and open doors of opportunity, to lead us into ways to prosper so we can be a blessing of prosperity to the kingdom of God and to the world.
    It is God's will for His people to be the lenders, not the borrowers, and that even on an international scale. This is coming to pass. Deut.28.12,13.
    This basic principle was applied in Jesus' life and ministry. People gave to Him, but He constantly gave to people, even feeding multitudes. Can you imagine a ministry holding a huge crusade in which there were multitudes present, and the ministry feeding every person! That's what Jesus did more than once.
    This basic principle was applied in Paul's life and ministry as we have already seen.
    These were the beginnings. This glory is to operate in our lives and ministries today, and it is to duplicate across the face of the earth until the earth is filled with the glory of the Lord in every realm--including the financial realm. The latter house is more glorious than the former. What we see happening in the beginning is increasing and multiplying for the ending harvest.
    It has been prophesied. It's coming to pass. We each are to find our positions and fulfill them for the season. Then go with the changing seasons. The seasons do change.
    Even full-time international ministries, who obviously should not be trying to hold down a job, when God keeps them on the move ministering in different places, can "lay their hand" on good investments, and the returns off this can be supportive of their ministries. There are many modern-day examples of this, and, there will be more.
    The danger of this is that a person/couple/ministry gets distracted from their calling by their involvment in their business. Many have fallen to this, neglected  their anointing for service, and ended up living out an empty, unsatisfying, and fruitless life. If we have fallen victim to this, we must repent and get our priorities straight so we can walk in the full blessing of God. In all, our dependence and focus must stay on our Lord Jesus Christ.

WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD
    So, how do we combine business with ministry?
    First, we must realize everywhere we go and everybody we meet is ministry opportunity. We must walk sensitive to the Holy Spirit to see the open doors and follow His leading in the right timing of all things.
    Next, it must be settled in our hearts that the ministry, according to the scriptures, is actually to be the example of prosperity and ability to provide for others. To do this it takes effort--grace. It takes having a vehicle, a means to make money and provide for others. So we need to pray and ask God to lead us to the vehicle to provide this.
    What if the business involvement of the minister is in competition with people of the flock?
    First, there needs to be teaching of the Word as has been given here. With this foundation, all should understand that free enterprise prospers with healthy competition. A mature outlook will realize that people are free to choose what and from whom they buy goods or services, and that two people can have the same business "side by side" and both can prosper without any animosity.
    Next, it should be admired that "the preacher" is not just sitting around expecting others to take care of him. He too, will be tithing into the overall ministry. He too, will be contributing, and probably more than the rest in time and provisions to further the overall ministry.
    Paul and Jesus are examples of this.
    Personally, in this season, we have found that doors have opened for us in the kingdom that would never have been opened to us had we not been actively involved in a home-based business. God has prospered us, and through business contacts, He has opened doors that literally opens the whole world up for our ministry. Plus, we are able to help support other ministries whose full-time involvement is local or international ministry.
    One other thing we have found is this: When the format for approaching people with the gospel is passing out a gospel tract, questions and conversation that is of a "religious" nature, etc., people are often on the defensive or closed. This approach is O.K., but it does not work for everybody. ]
    When you are talking business, some people are more open to that, and more relaxed with it, and in that context, a witness can often be given in just relating how God has blessed us through this business, and this can lead to an opening to share the gospel. Actually, this tends to lend more credibility to your witness with some people, than if you were just out proselytizing.
    So, just as Paul combined business with ministry, we have found this to be very successful for us.
    Conclusion:
    Don't be afraid to seek a means of income that will enable you to break out of the restrictions that are on you. Seek a position to be able to freely preach the gospel "without charge".  See the long-term goal, and go for it.
    Believe God's Word. Act on it. Pray for God to lead you. Pray that He will cause you to see the opportunity that He sets before you. Go in with faith and succeed with His blessing upon it. Be set free and be an instrument to set others free.
    Put the Word first. Do what the Word says to do. "Then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" Joshua 1.8.
    Move in the season you are in.
    Be in position to reap the harvest of souls today.