Jesus-followers managed their households in ways that were respectable to others of their day. A generation earlier, Paul had preferred to support himself whenever possible, rather than relying on others for financial assistance (for instance, 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–8). Charlatans seeking economic gain roamed the Roman world, and Paul wanted to avoid appearing like one of them (e.g., 2 Corinthians 12:14–18). At times, however, Paul was able to put those concerns aside. For example,