to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
-Ephesians 1:6

As I was browsing a major internet bulletin board this morning, I came across an advertisement for a writing gig in the San Diego area that was calling for people to write articles for an upcoming internet webzine dealing with pop culture. The pitch seemed interesting enough. That is, until I noticed that the employer was not going to pay for those writing services.

This is actually becoming a more and more prevalent practice in our failing economy. Everyone is struggling in this financial quagmire, true. However, I don't see a ton of job ads calling for waiters, doctors, plumbers, politicians, lawyers and teachers being asked to work for free. Yet, writers, artists and the like are asked to produce a quality job for merely the hope of eventually getting paid or perhaps securing a permanent position. In my opinion, this is predatory and tantamount to theft.

As I mulled over all of this, a thought occurred to me: this kind of thing has been going on in the Christian business world for years. In truth, this is nothing new at all. In circles of believers, it doesn't stop with writers, either. You could have any kind of business and, if you are a Christian, there is the underlying expectation that you "hook a brother up". Understand me: I am not saying that freely giving your services to others is bad. In fact, it is quite a good thing. I would, however, like to make the distinction between offering to work for free versus being expected to work for free. In my opinion, this has become a cultural stumbling block in the church. Christians need paychecks, too.

I've seen ministries opt not to pay their employees due to financial hardship, but then just use Bible verses to nullify the employee's right to be upset. "Hey, we have to bear each other's burdens, right?" This happens more than you might think.

One of the most intensely mind-boggling and beautiful things about grace is that it is free. This is a concept that has befuddled believers and non-believers alike for centuries. In all of Christianity, there is no single area of our faith that raises more eyebrows than does the idea of free grace. Yet, it is always there...able to be received and costing exactly nothing. This is a gift that endures; a gift that changes things. It is a principal, however, upon which the rest of the world does not operate.

Believers, please allow others to make their own sacrificial choices and gestures. Don't use the Bible or guilt as a means of extortion.

Grace is freely given, not owed. Grace is freely received, not demanded.