Should Christians charge for services rendered?

[Hawkeye]

Hi Everyone

I would like to get your thoughts on something that has been discussed in chat recently.

If a Christian offers a service (tutoring, lawn mowing, painting, washing windows, cleaning out cars, etc..) Should they charge for those services, or should they simply give them away to "help people out?" 

What circumstances does it depend on, if any?

My thoughts are this: If a person is providing a service- they are spending their time, talent, and resources to do so. They deserve to get paid for the hard time spent, and it baffles me how some individuals are convinced they ought to give services away. If Christians who work for themselves never charged, they would be bankrupt. 

Now there will always be (in my mind) an exception to this- and that is a divine leading of God. In other words, if God leads me to- and informs me I am to help an individual "pro-bono", I will definitely do so. 

 

Edited August 26, 2015 by Hawkeye.

[Hall7]

Whatever our heart tells us to do. We all have to make a living but it doesn't mean that we have to charge people all the time.

[missmuffet]

Hi Everyone

I would like to get your thoughts on something that has been discussed in chat recently.

If a Christian offers a service (tutoring, lawn mowing, painting, washing windows, cleaning out cars, etc..) Should they charge for those services, or should they simply give them away to "help people out?" 

What circumstances does it depend on, if any?

My thoughts are this: If a person is providing a service- they are spending their time, talent, and resources to do so. They deserve to get paid for the hard time spent, and it baffles me how some individuals are convinced they ought to give services away. If Christians who work for themselves never charged, they would be bankrupt. 

Now there will always be (in my mind) an exception to this- and that is a divine leading of God. In other words, if God leads me to- and informs me I am to help an individual "pro-bono", I will definitely do so. 

 

If a person is able to pay that is what they should do.It is nice to render services for free to those who do not have any money and need help because as a Christian that is what God would want us to do.But that is not everyone.

[Littlelambseativy]

This is an issue that should be agreed upon prior to the service given. If the person is going through difficult times..I would do it out of the kindness of my heart. If the individual is able to pay by all means  set the fee before service is rendered.

[Ezra]

If a Christian offers a service (tutoring, lawn mowing, painting, washing windows, cleaning out cars, etc..) Should they charge for those services, or should they simply give them away to "help people out?" 

What circumstances does it depend on, if any?

Hawkeye,

Christians are expected to earn a living according to Scripture, and maintain fair business dealings.  Self-employed Christians should charge a fair price for their work, and provide outstanding service.  But at the end of the day, all services are rendered for a charge, which should be via a written contract (preferably).  We are free to do others favors as we feel led, but that is a separate issue altogether. Only those who are independently wealthy can simply give away their services.

[other one]

The company I worked for most of my life would not let us do any kind of work that was done by my company on the side.    We could not even sell Amway on our own time.

[Steve_S]

I've hidden several posts that sling personal accusations back and forth. I'm not going to lock this thread because it's a legitimate question and we don't yet have the ability to ban people from threads, so the next step is going to be warning points/MR. Let's please try to keep it civil.

God bless,

Steve

[Hawkeye]

Thanks everyone for your replies. 
The concern was, that it was brought to my attention - that I shouldn't charge for my tutoring services. I do this to make a living (in addition to the charger sales etc). Now have I given away services as I feel led? Or course, even have given away chargers as I feel led. Was just feeling uncertain fully on charging on a regular basis.

Thanks guys

[Guest Butero]

Hi Everyone

I would like to get your thoughts on something that has been discussed in chat recently.

If a Christian offers a service (tutoring, lawn mowing, painting, washing windows, cleaning out cars, etc..) Should they charge for those services, or should they simply give them away to "help people out?" 

What circumstances does it depend on, if any?

My thoughts are this: If a person is providing a service- they are spending their time, talent, and resources to do so. They deserve to get paid for the hard time spent, and it baffles me how some individuals are convinced they ought to give services away. If Christians who work for themselves never charged, they would be bankrupt. 

Now there will always be (in my mind) an exception to this- and that is a divine leading of God. In other words, if God leads me to- and informs me I am to help an individual "pro-bono", I will definitely do so. 

 

You are certainly free to do a service for someone and get nothing in return.  I believe you will be laying up treasures for yourself in heaven when you do that, but there is nothing wrong with offering to do a service for a fee.  Do as God lays on your heart.  If he lays it on your heart to help someone out and get nothing in return, you can't go wrong in doing it, but I don't know of a single scripture that says you can't hire yourself out for money just because you are a Christian.  I don't know what was being discussed in chat on this subject, but I find myself in agreement with your position.

[MorningGlory]

 FDSA

Thanks everyone for your replies. 
The concern was, that it was brought to my attention - that I shouldn't charge for my tutoring services. I do this to make a living (in addition to the charger sales etc). Now have I given away services as I feel led? Or course, even have given away chargers as I feel led. Was just feeling uncertain fully on charging on a regular basis.

Thanks guys

Hawkeye, if you need to make a living, of course you should charge for your services.  If someone needs your helo and cannot pay you then you should offer your service for free....IF YOU CAN.  Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about earning a living for yourself and your family.