Paul sometimes accepted support for his ministry from the established Churches. But when preaching in a new city where he wanted to exemplify the freeness of the gift offering, he worked for his keep. (Paul was a tent-maker & weaver of black goat hair used for tent material.) But he also plied his trade in Thessalonica to set a strong example for those who were refusing to work. That’s because certain members of the new Church had erroneously concluded that since Christ was returning soon they need not worry about being gainfully employed and instead, wandered from house to house daily gossiping & meddling in other people’s business…to the point of becoming a burden on the rest of the Church members for their needs… when they were fully capable of working. And as a result, their lifestyle had become lazy & undisciplined and the Church was forced to deal with it all.
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