"What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel." 1Corinthians 9:18

Salaried preachers have mostly been in the minority, but they have become the majority during the past 100 years in America.  Because of this shift in ministerial demographics, working preachers, sometimes called "bi-vocational" preachers, are often looked upon by salaried pastors as not being fully into the ministry.  However, some of the most qualified preachers have spent large portions of their lives supporting themselves as they ministered to others.  Of those seasoned preachers, some were sporadically supported by churches as they ministered to other people, but they more often relied upon their own work to bring in financial support.  One such "bi-vocational" preacher was the Apostle Paul, and his presence in the workforce kept him intimately in touch with real world: 

Ac 18:3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
Ac 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Ac 28:30 ¶ And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
1Co 9:15 ¶ But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
1Th 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
2Th 3:8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

1Co 9:6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
1Co 9:7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
1Co 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
2Co 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
2Co 11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
2Co 11:9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
2Co 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
2Co 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. {for you: Gr. for your souls}
2Co 12:17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
2Co 12:18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
1Th 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. {been…: or, used authority}
2Th 3:8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
2Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
 

"What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel." 1Corinthians 9:18