Before Michael died and they started touring again he was working at a Vons(Super market) stocking shelves.
At the end of the day he sung background on 4 number 1 hits over 50 years ago, and cowrote 1 semi popular single(Destiny) with 4 other brothers over 40 years ago. He was a child star who never really had all that much talent or star power. In Latoya's book she said they were always protective of him and that he was all the other brother's favorite because he was never a threat at being better than any of them.
He was someone who was always going to have to perform if he wasnt the star or writing. You can make a living performing if you constantly tour, but before Michael died nobody was going to pay to see them without Michael. With Michael dead they can tour the smallest regional circuits and Europe, hence he doesnt have to stock shelves anymore. In a real world though after they left Motown he should have been investing every cent he made. He had to know he had nothing going on, and hell even him attempting to act in B-movies in the 80's were horrific: