2 Thessalonians 3:9

not because we have not the right [to demand support while preaching-- Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18], but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us. [Many of the Thessalonian converts were from the laboring classes. Now, laborers in that day were brought into competition with slave-labor, and hence were disposed to look upon all manual work as degrading. This false view of life was the main influence which produced that vast multitude of parasites that then swarmed in every large city of the empire. To correct this mistaken pride, and to restore labor to its just dignity, Paul had made tents and supported himself by his hands while at Thessalonica. For these and other reasons he had also waived his right to support and had sustained himself while at Corinth (Acts 18:3; 2 Corinthians 11:9) and at Ephesus (Acts 20:34). But notwithstanding his example and instruction, and despite his written rebuke (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12), idleness appears to have increased rather than diminished; so the apostle here devotes some space to it.]