Monday Memo 1194: Paid to Be Who You Are

You know the story of Moses, how he was born in Egypt and hidden by his parents because Pharaoh had decreed that all male babies had to die. When they could no longer hide him, they put him in a basket and floated him down the river where he was discovered by Pharaoh's daughter. Moses' sister had followed the baby and then there is a subtle aspect of the story that is easy to overlook:

Then the baby’s sister approached the princess. “Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” she asked. “Yes, do!” the princess replied. So the girl went and called the baby’s mother. “Take this baby and nurse him for me,” the princess told the baby’s mother. “I will pay you for your help.” So the woman took her baby home and nursed him (Exodus 2:7-9, emphasis added).

The princess was so happy to find the baby that she was willing to pay someone to nurse him. Moses' sister went and got their mother, and the princess paid her to nurse and raise Moses. Moses' mama got paid to do something that she would have gladly done for free.

You probably also do things for free that others would gladly pay you to do. Those things are so second-nature to you, however, that you don't think they are anything special—but they are. When I started my business, I was so used to giving my services away that it was difficult to price them. There was a coaching service I offered that I had priced at $30, but then someone helped me see that there was a market for it and recommended I charge $250 instead. I was surprised and thought, "No one is going to pay that much!" And I was correct—anyone who knew me as the $30 man would not pay, but I found people who didn't know me and said, "Oh, that's reasonable. Let's do it!"

My point is that, like Moses' mama, you have things connected to your creative purpose that God can use to give you a revenue stream. Maybe you bake, cook, write, translate, babysit, garden, teach, clean, design, sew, or repair and have done so for many years. Could people find those things useful and would they be willing to pay you to do them? The answer is it's possible, but your own hesitancy and fear may be holding you back. So here's what I suggest you do.

First, ask the Lord to show you any such activities. Don't argue, debate, or start to dismiss how those things won't generate income. Then get with someone who knows you and business like I did. Have them look at your service or product and advise you how to make a business of it. Finally, do what they say regardless of how fearful, skeptical, or self-conscious you may feel.

When I started publishing as well as writing my own books, I found a new source of revenue that has been a blessing. Moses' mama got paid for her creativity (building a waterproof basket for her baby) and then got paid for being his mother! God wants to do the same for you as He has done for us. There is something in you that is of value to others who would be willing to pay. You only have to get over your hesitancy to put a price and value on what it is that God has created you to be and do. Have a blessed week.