But more important than practical reasons are Pauls biblical reasons for tentmaking. See Why Did Paul Make Tents?
But did Paul really do much tentmaking? Yes. 1 Cor. 9 make this crystal clear. First Paul argues for church and donor support, and establishes his right to have it, as an apostle. But then he says three times that he has never made any use of it. His team has always supported itself–and not mere token employment. They often worked two shifts and lacked adequate food and clothing. We know this was a career-long pattern because this statement comes near the end of his third missionary journey. But doesn’t Paul say he had “robbed” churches? “Robbed” is an exaggeration to shame the Corinthians. Years later, when the Philippians send money to Paul in prison, he says only they had ever given to him–and that, only once or twice. (Phil. 4:14-16) His detractors charge that he regularly receives money on the sly. But he denies it. He even pays for hospitality! He owes no favors, and was beholden to no factions. Why does Paul spend hours at manual labor when there is a world to win? He knows hi
