I know my last two posts dealt wit the idea of “working for exposure” and giving work away for free. Even as I write them, and maybe this is because I am in ministry, but I can almost hear the complaints. “He’s only in this for the money.” Truth be known, if it was all about the money, I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing, nor, I suspect, would you. I also would never want to give the impression that it is never okay to give your work away. As a matter of fact giving your work away for free can have a huge Kingdom impact. So when do you give your work away?
- When God tells you to.
If you feel led by the Lord to give a piece away. DO IT! (Full stop!)
2. When it supports your cause.
If God has made you passionate about a cause, use the abilities He has given you to support that cause.
3. When you believe in the cause.
Maybe it’s not your cause, but it’s something you believe in. If so, remember 1 Peter 4:10, “Each one should use whatever gifts he has to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
4. When the other person can’t afford it.
Sometimes people need something that you can do but they can’t afford you. Doing the work anyway is a great way to show them support and love.
5. When it’s a gift.
More than once when I have been out ministering, a person has come up to me afterwards to tell me what the piece meant to them. If the piece is not previously spoken for, I will sometimes take it off the easel and give it to them. You should see their faces, but more that that, you should feel how it feels when God allows you speak into lives. Unexpected gifts can do great things.
This is not an exhaustive list. There are many reasons to work for free or give your work away, number one being most important. The caution is that nothing but salvation is free. When you give something away, there is a cost. This is why I am cautionary about “work for exposure.” Those who can afford your services, and who think enough of your work to want to use it, should also be willing to help you continue to do what you do. After all that’s how we get to keep on doing.
AMOKArts 