Working for free

Tuesday nights I teach an English as a second language class at church and I enjoy it. So do my students. It occurred to me in the middle of our time together this week that one reason we all enjoy it so much is because it is free. There is no money involved to mess up the relationship.

Let’s admit it: The introduction of money into the mix of any transaction alters it, be it even ever so subtly and ineffably. This is certainly not to say that it is wrong to charge for services. Not at all. Jesus said to His itinerant evangelists:

“… the laborer deserves his wages …” (Luke 10:7, ESV).

The Apostle Paul reaffirmed the principle:

“For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and ‘the laborer deserves his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:18, ESV).

Paul was quoting the Old Testament, and so we have a threefold witness.

Nevertheless, it makes so powerful an impact when things are free that Paul, being indisputably entitled to financial support in his ministry, yet voluntarily declined it, so mindful was he of the psychological impact of a gift untainted by any question of motive whatsoever. Paul explained:

“Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. … I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls …” (2 Corinthians 12:14–15, ESV).

He elaborated elsewhere, noting that money can “put an obstacle” in the way of the free, unfettered flow of love and the gospel—even though God Himself allows the exchange of money!

“… Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right [for financial remuneration], but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. … [T]he Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. … What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel” (1 Corinthian 9:12–18, ESV).

I find that money is always the elephant in the room. We in the ESL program took the elephant out of the room. So do many Christian ministries. Our students seem delighted. And though they may not be able to put their finger on why they are delighted, I think it is the power of a free gift with absolutely no strings attached. There is no subtext, there is no quid pro quo, there is no tacit understanding that financial profit is the motivator, and that if the money stops the deal is off. For me, the lesson is simple: Take your fair wages when you can, without recriminations of conscience. And give for free at every opportunity.