How did Paul support himself financially?
Paul supported himself financially by laboring with his own hands, working as a tentmaker, as noted in the book of Acts, to earn enough cash to cover his personal needs. He had given up previous wealth and prestige, having no certain dwelling place, and did not depend on a mansion after missionary journeys.
Les explains that in 1 Corinthians 4:12 Paul states he labored with his own hands to get enough cash to take care of his personal needs. Les points out that from the book of Acts we know Paul worked as a tent maker with his hands. He contrasts this with having a nice big beautiful mansion to go home to after a missionary journey; instead, Paul had no certain dwelling place. Les suggests Paul evidently chucked all of his previous wealth and his prestige in order to become the apostle of the Gentiles. Thus his financial support came from manual labor, not from personal wealth or comfortable circumstances.
And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
More Questions
Why did Paul stay with Aquila and Priscilla and work?
Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla and worked alongside them because he was of the same trade or craft.