I have always taught folks in my leadership development trainings this simple principle for mastering their gifts and skills as they pursue purpose. It is to begin life by doing stuff for free. I have had amazing testimonies as people apply this principle. Many of them are now at the top of their game, making money while fulfilling purpose at the same time.

Friend, what are you willing to do for free if you ever 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 maximize their lives to consider offering free services when opportunity presents itself.

Doing stuff for free is not particularly talking about business people and practise. I’m teaching a principle that you can leverage for relevance in life and destiny. The truth is, until you have learnt to do stuff for free you may not be able to do it for 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. 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. 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; 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. This was the testimony of Joseph and David. Who are those people that have tasted your gifts, services and excellence that can recommend you?

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria