He couldn’t get a job years after his graduation in school. He decided to volunteer in a company. He worked with them for a few years without pay; aside from the stipends he received once in a while. He was so resourceful and dedicated that the company decided to employ him. Today, he manages his own firm.
Friend, what are you willing to do for free if you have the opportunity? This is a major principle for a life of success and significance. While it is encouraged that those who receive services from people should learn to pay them, it is wisdom for those who want to maximise their lives to consider offering free services when opportunity presents itself (Galatians 6:7-9).
Doing stuff for free is not particularly talking about business people and practice. It is a principle that you can leverage for relevance in life and destiny. The truth is, until you have learnt to do it for free, you may not be able to do it at a fee. Everybody wants to receive huge fees from their gifts and services without understanding the place of offering free services.
Joseph could interpret the dream of Pharaoh for a fee (Prime Minister Position) because he had done it for free while interpreting the dreams of the officers of Pharaoh in the Prison (Genesis 41:9-14). David could kill Goliath for a fee (kingship, royal treatment etc.) because he had been able to do it for free while taking care of his father’s sheep at the backside of the desert (1 Samuel 17:34-37).
Doing stuff for free will deliver you from idleness (Proverbs 19:15). Sometimes, I wonder why people say they have no job when they can simply volunteer their skills and services where they are needed. You would recall that Jesus taught this principle when He spoke about the parable of the vineyard workers. The excuse that “no man has hired us” was not tenable (Matthew 20:1-7).
Doing stuff for free helps you to hone your gifts and skills. People are not looking for a raw gift but a refined one (Daniel 1:4). You can maximize the time of doing stuff for free to get better at what you do so that those who can afford to pay you well would meet you in a refined state. While it may look as if you are being used, you are actually being made. You are being developed into the kind of person that can stand before kings (Proverbs 22:29).
Learning to do stuff for free would help you to gain credibility and good referrals. The truth is, you need someone to introduce you to your critical audience, and it may be those for whom you did stuff for free (Genesis 41:9-14). This was the testimony of Joseph and David. Who are those people who have tasted your gifts, services, and excellence that can recommend you?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria