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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"I have showed you all things, how that so laboring, ye ought to support the weak." Observe him employed in work and not simply that, but toiling. "These hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me:" so as to put them to shame. And see how worthily of them. For he says not, Ye ought to show yourselves superior to money, but what? …
Theophylact of Ohrid
You cannot hide behind ignorance. I have shown you by my own actions that it is necessary to labor and to remember this word of the Lord Jesus. But where did the Lord say this? Perhaps the apostles transmitted this orally, or it is clear by inference. One degree is to renounce everything, another is to provide for oneself the necessities, a third is to provide not only for oneself but also for others, and a fourth is not to take even when you are preaching and have the ability to take. …
Oecumenius
Then he says that this matter also has use and arrangement through the words of the Lord, which is not now found in Scripture; and perhaps the apostles handed it down orally. From which one could reason: to be said in other words, signaling this. He does not say that it is evil to receive and give away, but that it is better not to receive. For this is compassion toward the weak. For to give what belongs to others is not even honorable. …
Western Saints
Jerome
Somehow or other the very one who begs leave to offer you a gift holds you the cheaper for your acceptance of it; while, if you refuse it, it is wonderful how much more he will come to respect you.
Bede
I showed you all things. That is, not only must one persist in teaching amid pressures and tears, but one must also work with one's hands to support the weak so that no one is burdened. This is what was meant by: And whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I return (Luke X), namely, to preach the Gospel and not to seek support from the Gospel.
Bonaventure
Acts 20: It is more blessed to give than to receive: but giving alms does not make a man attain evangelical perfection: therefore much less does receiving. To the objection that it is more blessed to give than to receive: it must be said that this is true when the acceptance of alms comes from the necessity of nature; but not when it comes from the supererogation of justice, according to the distinction made in the principal solution. …
Translation