She's just trying to 'earn a living'. [=to earn the money needed for food, clothing, etc.]
He will do anything to 'earn his keep'. [=to earn what is needed to support himself]
He 'earned/won his spurs' by doubling the company's profits in the past year.
(..) You'll always be my brother. Everything I own is yours. No. I'll never have your name. And every time my name is spoken, it will be spoken alongside stories of my grandfather. Until I earn it back. Messala, wait. Wait! Messala. - Where are you going? - I'm going to Rome. Wait. What do you mean, (..)2016 Ben-Hur