Verse of the Day: Support Yourself

9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 (NLT)

Even Paul, a minister of the gospel, worked to earn a living. He supported himself as a tentmaker. What a concept! Working to support yourself rather than relying on other people or the government.

From the Life Application Bible:

Although Paul had the right to receive financial support from the people he taught, he supported himself as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3) so that he wouldn’t be a burden to the new Thessaloanian believers.

From the Nelson Study Bible:

Paul’s affection for the Thessaloanians was demonstrated by his labor. As in 1:3, this word indicates strenuous work that produces weariness and fatigue. Paul made tents to provide for his financial needs, working early and late, in order that he might not be a burden to his converts. Paul’s actions showed that his ministry was motivated by an unselfish desire to promote the well-being of others rather than to advance his own needs.