Is it OK for energy workers to charge people for their services?
This is a question that I hear occasionally.
Strong Feelings
There are strong feelings by some that it is definitely not OK, some feel strongly that it is OK. Most people are probably in the middle, they wish energy work was free, but understand why people charge.
Here is what I have heard from others and what I have learned about it as well as what I feel comfortable doing.
Is it priest craft if you pray before you work?
Some people say it is not OK to charge if you pray before you do the work. They say it is like priest craft. On LDS.org we find the definition of priest craft. Men preaching and setting themselves up for a light to the world that they may get gain and praise of the world; they do not seek the welfare of Zion.
This definition is a great guide for determining if I am practicing priest craft.
I am not setting myself up as a light, this is actually why I pray before I do work, to set Jesus as the light.
I don’t want gain or praise. I just want Zion to progress. I want the people I work with to have a strong testimony of Jesus and to be functioning well so they can do what God wants them to do. Love their family more fully, have the energy they need to do their callings, etc.
But, does getting paid, mean you are gaining? I feel like it is an exchange of time for money, not my gifts for money. I often do other types of trades. People trading their time for my time. They will bring me a meal, or offer to clean, etc.
Then I was pondering who else prays and gets inspired before and while they do work and do they get paid?
- I think of surgeons who pray for God’s guidance before a surgery. They still charge for what they do.
- I think of musicians who pray for God’s guidance and inspiration before writing a song and they still charge money when they perform or sell their song.
- I think of artists who are inspired by God to paint beautiful renderings of Jesus. They sell their paintings and no one bats an eye.
Even if someone is using inspiration of God and sharing the love of Christ in the work they do, it is OK to accept money for it. It is still work and takes time.
I would actually prefer a surgeon who prays for guidance.
I love the story Russel M. Nelson shares about the power of prayer before surgery.
Over 50 years ago a Stake Patriarch had been told that he had a heart defect that was non-operable. He had been to many doctors all saying the same. He was led to Dr. Nelson.
Finally, in desperation, he spoke to me with considerable emotion: “Dr. Nelson, I have prayed for help and have been directed to you. The Lord will not reveal to me how to repair that second valve, but He can reveal it to you. Your mind is so prepared. If you will operate upon me, the Lord will make it known to you what to do. Please perform the operation that I need, and pray for the help that you need.” 21
His great faith had a profound effect upon me. How could I turn him away again? Following a fervent prayer together, I agreed to try. In preparing for that fateful day, I prayed over and over again, but still did not know what to do for his leaking tricuspid valve. Even as the operation commenced, 22 my assistant asked, “What are you going to do for that?”
I said, “I do not know.”
We began the operation. After relieving the obstruction of the first valve, 23 we exposed the second valve. We found it to be intact but so badly dilated that it could no longer function as it should. While examining this valve, a message was distinctly impressed upon my mind:Reduce the circumference of the ring. I announced that message to my assistant. “The valve tissue will be sufficient if we can effectively reduce the ring toward its normal size.”
But how? We could not apply a belt as one would use to tighten the waist of oversized trousers. We could not squeeze with a strap as one would cinch a saddle on a horse. Then a picture came vividly to my mind, showing how stitches could be placed—to make a pleat here and a tuck there—to accomplish the desired objective. I still remember that mental image—complete with dotted lines where sutures should be placed. The repair was completed as diagrammed in my mind. We tested the valve and found the leak to be reduced remarkably. My assistant said, “It’s a miracle.”
I responded, “It’s an answer to prayer.”
The patient’s recovery was rapid and his relief gratifying. Not only was he helped in a marvelous way, but surgical help for other people with similar problems had become a possibility.
I take no credit. Praise goes to this faithful patriarch and to God, who answered our prayers.
This faithful man lived for many more years and has since gone to his eternal glory.
It would be ridiculous to say Russel M. Nelson was practicing Priest Craft
He was praying for God’s Guidance for his work. He received God’s guidance.
However it is not priest craft.
- He did not take the credit, he gave it to God.
- He did not want gain and praise.
- He wanted to build Zion.
The Two Main Reasons I Charge Money
Exchanging Money for Time
Most of my sessions take about an hour of my time. I love helping others and I enjoy doing it. However, it is taking time away from my family and other responsibilities I have. If I charge for that time, then I can take that money and use it to bless my family and others.
For instance, I use the money I make to hire a cleaning lady. I bless her life, because I am paying her for the incredible gift she has of cleaning. (I honestly love Olivia and her gift, she is amazing in so many ways). By paying her to clean, my home stays clean and gives me the time I would have spent cleaning, to serve others with energy work or teaching classes.
People Value what they Pay For
Sometimes when I do free sessions, the person does not follow through on the “homework” I give them. Then they don’t see the benefits that they wanted to.
Somehow they don’t see what I do as valuable as someone who pays for it.
So I find even if I charge a small amount to someone in financial need, rather than do a free session, since they have invested money, then they invest the time and energy to do the homework and they see the changes they want.
So we both benefit when I charge.
Follow the Spirit
Having said that, it is important to follow the spirit! While I do usually charge full price for my services, I love having a sliding scale as well as offering free sessions and classes at times too when appropriate.
There is no “right” answer.
I have been a doula for years and at first I thought there was a “right” way to birth. But over the years and births I quickly learned that there are many right paths to take to have a baby. None are right or wrong, it is very individual and fluid depending on the situation and moment. Following the spirit can lead people along the way to the best birth possible.
I think it is the same for Energy Work. There is no right answer on whether to charge or how much to charge. Following the spirit will help each individual. Judging each other doesn’t help anyone.
Some energy workers feel strongly they shouldn’t charge and I support them in that. That is what is best for them and the people they serve. Some feel they should charge and I support them in that as well!