The first disciples’ work as fishermen gave them a solid work ethic, and taught them to meet difficulties with patience and perseverance, as well as giving them experience in running a business (owning their own equipment), even without much formal education (Acts 5:13). Luke 5:1–11 shows how Jesus gave them a miraculous catch of fish, which would also strengthen their faith in him and his calling.
That these first apostles weren’t living in poverty is evident from the fact that they owned boats and nets and had other employees working for them. It is no coincidence that Jesus calls these fishermen to the office of apostle first. Their careers as fishermen helped prepare them for the office, as they learned the value of hard work, patience, perseverance, and dealing with disappointment. They also weren’t uncivilized, even if they weren’t highly educated (Acts 5:13). Their experience along with the special work of the Holy Spirit therefore combined to prepare them for their task. From Luke 5:1–11 it is also clear that, just prior to being called, they achieved a miraculous catch, which also helped mentally prepare the apostles for what was about to happen. In contradistinction to Luke, the evangelist Matthew places all the emphasis on the calling by Jesus and the faithful response of the disciples. They may have already belonged to the group of disciples of John the Baptist, and now they permanently commit to following Jesus by forsaking their careers. Bringing the gospel to the world is the chief end of their calling.1
21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.