Alcoholics Anonymous will never have a professional class. We have gained some understanding of the ancient words “Freely ye have received, freely give.” We have discovered that at the point of professionalism, money and spirituality do not mix. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 166
I believe that Alcoholics Anonymous stands alone in the treatment of alcoholism because it is based solely on the principle of one alcoholic sharing with another alcoholic. This is what makes the program unique. When I decided that I wanted to stay sober, I called a woman who I knew was a sober member of A.A., and she carried the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to me. She received no monetary compensation, but rather was paid by staying sober another day herself. Today I could ask for no payment other than another day free from alcohol, so in that respect, I am generously paid for my labor.
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This is the heart and soul of who we are, thank God for no profit motive! I am honored every time someone asks for my assistance, the payment I receive is beyond money.
The principal of sowing and reaping! How many watermelons are in a watermelon? Imagine how many members of Alcoholics Anonymous would stay sober if they would carry the message to those who still suffer, or just have an attitude of recovery for those in the fellowship. If none of our members were willing to carry the message, we would cease to exist! Dr. Bob sponsored 5000 alcoholics! He said it was a sense of duty, a pleasure, in doing so he was paying his debt to the man who took time to pass it on to him, and everytime he shared the message of A.A. he took out a little more insurance for himself against a possible slip. p181 3rd edition big book. You can not out give God!
We are all paid generously and equally for our contributions in Alcoholics Anonymous.
The wage is sobriety.
I’m Harry, a well-paid number of Alcoholics Anonymous.
I am a grateful member of the Fellowship ,I have a new EMPLOYER..
He has blessed me with abundance ,health ,happiness, joy and peace. What did I have to do as His employee? I only had to share what He had already given me . It has been the best and I mean best joy and pleasure I ever endured. There is no amount of $$$$ in this worl d that could have given me what I have today.
Janice
Today I celebrate one year without alcohol. I would have never became sober if not for my dear friend, Clairey, sharing the program with me. She helped me get started with no compensation for her effort.
Today I sponsor and my payment is another day of sobriety. I can’t put a monitary value on that.
Congrats Wade! 365×24 = It really works!