Biblical Role Models for Sales Reps

The Bible has sales reps. Okay, not under the kinds of titles we’re used to like sales representative, account executive, territory manager.

The Biblical title for a sales rep is merchant. And it was full of merchants — grain dealers (Isaiah 23:3); animal herders for lambs, rams, and goats (Ezekiel 27:21); traders in spices, precious stones, and gold (Ezekiel 27:22); silver traders (Zephaniah 1:11).

Unfortunately, most of the merchants mentioned by name in the Old Testament weren’t exactly great role models. They usually lacked integrity and compassion.

We have to wait until the New Testament in the Book of Acts to see our first sales rep mentioned obviously by name. And these sales reps are well respected and known for integrity.

First, there’s Lydia in Acts 16:13–15. She was a dealer of purple cloth. Because purple dye was rare and difficult to make purple represented royalty, wealth, and status. Lydia would have been an influential woman of great means. As a result, she provided room and board for Paul, Silas, and their traveling companions.

Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) was a tent maker by trade. He met Priscilla and Aquila, also tentmakers, in Acts 18:2–4. They spent time together working on their goods and selling their goods to fund future efforts for the Gospel by Paul. Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos, and Paul is known for four missionary trips and numerous New Testament epistles.