I sell stuff. Books, time, expertise, online courses. The only thing I don’t sell is out.

It wasn’t always that way. I used to sell out to the idea that selling is bad. That money is scary and evil. That marketing is tantamount to kicking down your grannie’s door and robbing her jewels.

But this simply is not true.

Selling is simply serving others in a sustainable way. Providing value in exchange for their time and money in a way that’s win-win.

Marketing is helping people make a positive decision that benefits their present and feeds their future.

When viewed from a place of fearless faith, not fearful grasping after money, exchanging value in this one of the ways we express our appreciation for the good things someone else brings to the table of the world.

Needless to say, as with most things, the beauty of exchange has been hijacked by greed and become something it was never intended to be. That’s why selling has garnered such a negative name.

People speak of dirty money, being filthy rich, and cold hard cash.

How about reframing the money conversation with more noble purpose.

Clean, wholesome exchange of warm appreciation for the labours and genius of another worthy human being. An opportunity to cheer their calling and invest in their growing contribution to humanity.

Jesus was never shy to tackle the money convo.

Earthly money is spoken of in the parables more than heaven itself. He knew how important, how alluring, and how contentious it can be. He even warned that given half a chance it can climb on the throne of a man’s heart parading itself as a god.

But He did not for a moment discount its usefulness. He did not tell people to hole up somewhere and never touch a note. He simply pointed out that the only arrangement that works is for you to be lord of your money and what it is used for, not the other way around.

My favorite encounter is the one where the Pharisees came to him with a coin.

“Should we pay our taxes?” They challenged

“Whose likeness does that tiny piece of metal bare?” He asked.

“Caesar.”

“Then give to Ceasar what belongs to him…”

“…And as for you, give to God the thing that carries His image and likeness.”

God created you in His image.

You are worth far more than a mountain of those Caesar-bearing coins. Give yourself to Him, and to His call on your life. Follow Him closely and passionately, trusting Him for every step. Give generously of your gifts, personality, and talents to others.

Don’t shy away from recognizing your worthiness to Him, and you’re worth to others.

Selling is simply recognizing your worth, and authentically delivering value to the marketplace where others have the freedom and opportunity to appreciate your contribution in tangible ways.

What are you worth? I can’t place a number on that, because there would not be enough zeros to string on the end. Your freedom and opportunity to contribute cost more than we can ever comprehend, but the price was paid, and your life was redeemed. You were released from a thankless taskmaster and employed by the King.

The question is, what will you now do with that freedom?

Will you stay hidden in the shadows? That would be a great shame.

My suggestion? Step out, don’t sell out.

Don’t sell out to the lie that you have nothing of worth to share or exchange. Don’t diminish your worthiness thinking your contribution should always be free. Sell and serve with integrity, and learn to ask confidently for an appropriate and profitable compensation for the value that you’ve spent your life to cultivate.

I don’t sell a book. I exchange the lifetime of learning it cost me to learn what I placed on the pages.

I don’t sell a 3-hour long online course. I exchange my expertise, purchased with hundreds of hours of diligent investment and accumulated thousands of dollars, for a price far lower than the leverage it will provide for the purchaser.

I don’t sell my time. I share my life, the whole of me present and attentive. For me to be the person I am today has been costly, so I’m a worthy investment for my clients. It would be far more expensive for them to live my life over and arrive at the same place. They too bring their life and attention to the table and we all receive the benefit.

Step out. Don’t be afraid to sell.

But never sell one thing… out!