Have you ever been called, or felt, greedy for charging your services? People are fine with pricing goods, then it’s a “fair exchange”. But if you help people in coaching, medicine, or charity – shouldn’t real help be free? If you enjoy your work, especially if it’s fulfilling or creative, isn’t “having fun while working” enough for you?
And hey, there’s some truth in that.
YES, exploiting is evil.
YES, it’s a privilege to do what you love.
But half-truths are the most dangerous kind of lie.
Because—who benefits when you feel guilty about charging full price? People will tell or hint that you are being selfish while trying to get the full value of your effort for themselves. In short, they’re trying to exploit you.
If your work is important enough to need skilled professionals rather than hobbyists in their spare time, then those professionals simply must be paid — not because they are greedy, but because society needs them to be dedicated full-time to these problems.
Yes, governments and institutions should pool money to lighten the financial load for the vulnerable and the artistic. But that responsibility cannot fall on your shoulders.
Your expertise is not a sin to atone for, and fair compensation is not an indulgence—it’s a fair exchange that allows meaningful work to continue.
So if you ever feel guilty for charging, ask yourself: who taught you to do that? And why?