Selling Virtue

"The cash compensation is quite modest (but the deferred compensation is incredible... you just get it in Glory!)" said every nonprofit (religious or not... just change Glory! to karma) to justify the sale of virtue.

The nonprofit world suffers from a pathology - somewhere in the mix of sacrifice, doing-good, reward, qualifications, and money. We use this pathology to justify lower compensation for virtuous work - it's a transaction, absolutely.
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Right up there with "our work is so important, we deserve to be paid more than we are" - nonprofit professionals are typically underpaid (especially in religious or community service areas).

We exchange the pay for the guilt-inflicting, self-righteous, proud, virtue-distorted views of our worth - for the poor, for the kids, for the strays, for Jesus... it's all the same transaction.

So when I received a job notice asking to share an open position with colleagues that included the Glory! line, I refused.

I refused to perpetuate the lie that the laborer is not worthy of her hire.

I refused to muzzle the ox as it treads out the grain.

I refused to perpetuate the nonprofit sickness of selling virtue and goodness for the sake of a 501(c)3.

I refused guilt and manipulation and the fear of money.

I refused selling virtue.

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