Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "That one of you goes out early in the morning and carries firewood back on his back, gives charity from it, meets his own need and becomes independent of people, is better than his asking someone who may give him or refuse him. And the upper hand is better than the lower hand, and begin with your dependents."
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الزكاة / 7865