FROM ST. PAUL’s LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS:
“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.
On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
(2 Thessalonians 3:7-10 )
Thus Paul maintained his tentmaker trade. I know a number of pastors who have kept their engineering jobs for the same reason at Paul the Apostle. Many times these are very small churches or churches that serve poor neighborhoods.
Thanks!