To put a burden on, to weigh down — especially the financial burden of supporting oneself rather than depending on others. Paul uses this word to describe his deliberate choice not to financially burden the churches.
Paul's refusal to epibareō the churches (1 Thess 2:9; 2 Thess 3:8) established a radical model of servant leadership. He worked with his own hands so that the gospel would never be confused with a money-making scheme. This principle challenges every model of ministry that extracts wealth from the vulnerable. True spiritual authority lightens burdens (Matt 11:28–30), never increases them.