The apostle Paul was a working minister as an example

 

Overlooked by aspiring ministers, was the example that Paul worked making tents as he ministered until he was older and imprisoned.

Some may be surprised to realize what he taught ministers to work and labor likewise.

God's word show us how the apostle Paul worked in Corinth, Ephesus, and Thessalonica and he told the Ephesian overseers “it is more blessed to give than receive” in regard to ministry.

Let's look at his teaching.
....................

Acts 18: 2 (Corinth Greece. And Paul found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, ..and he came to them 3 and because he (PAUL) was **of the same trade**, he stayed with them, **and they worked**,  for by their trade they were tentmakers.
..................

Acts 20: 29 Paul to the Ephesian pastors:
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;

30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples <to follow> after them.

31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.

34 You yourselves know that these hands (PAUL'S HANDS)  ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.

35 In everything I showed you that **by working** in this manner you (bishops) must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” ***
..............

2Corinthians 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults,** in labors**, in sleepless nights, in fastings;

2Corinthians 11:27 in labor and travail, in sleepless nights often

..............

1thess. 2: 9
For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail:
==> working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, <==
we preached to you the gospel of God.
...................

2thess 3: 7
For yourselves know how ye ought to **imitate us**: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 ==> neither did we eat bread for nothing at any man's hand
==> but in labor and travail, working night and day,
==> that we might not burden any of you:
9 not because we have not the right,
==> but to make ourselves an example to you,
that ye (ALL the men) should imitate us.
10 For even when we were with you,
==> this we commanded you,
==> If any will not work, neither let him eat.
...............

There you have it. Paul worked and instructed the bishops and men to work and be diligent.. 

He said to "imitate us" in this very thing.... And when you compare him to the glory-hounds and pulpit princes pulling for tithes and offerings... Well, you decide who to support...