The economy is one of the sectors that had taken the biggest hit from the pandemic. But as businesses closed down and people lost their jobs, the internet opened up doors for people who are trying their best to survive and make ends meet.

The idea of having a side hustle has become common nowadays. In our current online landscape, most side hustles can be done at home while wearing our pajamas. And this isn’t just limited to working professionals; even students can earn money while doing their modules. As long as you have the skills, knowledge, or creativity, you can earn a good amount of money from the comforts of your own home.

Aside from online selling, another interesting development in the world of online business is the emergence of blockchain technology. An example of this that is gaining popularity in the Philippines is Axie Infinity, a play-to-earn, non-fungible token (NFT) game.

In this game, players can get small love potions (SLP) every time they win battles. These SLPs can be traded into bitcoin, ethereum, and other cryptocurrency, and are convertible to cash.

Who would have thought that playing games can actually help people earn money? 

Now more than ever, I think we all have to ask: Are side hustles all good? Here are some questions to ponder on or if you’re doing a side hustle or if you’re considering one.

Does it align with your values? Just because a job offers good money doesn’t mean you should automatically go for it. I had a conversation with someone who had a side hustle that scammed people over the phone. Eventually, he resigned because he knew it was not right even if the pay was good. He knew that this would cause more harm than good.

So seek expert advice. Do some research. Double-check what you’re getting yourself into. The decisions you make can potentially affect not just your future, but even the lives of those you do business with. Aside from asking about the potential monetary gains, it might also be good to ask if the side hustle you will do is ethical, moral, and legal. 

Will it make you compromise your primary responsibilities? Side hustles are exactly that: a side hustle. Therefore, this should not distract or hinder you from fulfilling your primary responsibilities as a son or daughter in your family or as a student in school.

Before starting a side hustle, always count the cost. Ask yourself: “Do I have the time and energy to do it without compromising my other responsibilities? Will this support my other tasks?”

Is it aligned with your passion and skill set? When there are a lot of opportunities, choose the one that will help build your skill and will give you relevant experience towards the career you’re taking.

For example, if you’re planning to be a content creator, you can choose side hustles that will allow you to learn video-editing or will teach you about digital marketing. If you’re a writer, look for side hustles that will expose you to digital publishing, web content writing, or copywriting to hone your craft even more.

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So are side hustles all good? 

It’s on a case-to-case basis. 

A side hustle can be a source of tremendous blessing if it helps support your family, makes you a blessing to other people, helps you become more productive, and maximizes the skills and talents that God has given you.

Through side hustles, you can even discover some of your hidden talents and gifts. They can also help build your competence and character at an early age, and can connect you to people beyond your sphere of influence.

At the same time, there’s so much to lose if we choose to do side hustles that earn money through fraud or unethical means. 

If you’re already earning money through a side hustle, you have an opportunity to grow in the area of financial management or stewardship. If your side hustle is necessary to pay the bills, well and good. But when your side hustle gives you extra money, don’t automatically splurge on food or check out the items in your cart. Instead, build your savings and invest in assets. The best time to invest is now, even when you are a student. Do your own research. Study your options. Build your conviction before investing.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to the motivation of the heart. Is your desire to do a side hustle motivated by pure passion or a real need? Or is it driven by greed?

As Paul said to Timothy, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

The Bible instructs us to flee from the love of money, and to pursue the right things: righteousness, godliness, faith, and love, among others. 

There is nothing wrong with side hustles, but let us remember that these are also just means for us to experience God’s provision and His presence in our lives as we grow our character and skill set. Ultimately, as we live daily under the Lordship of Christ, we can go to Him for guidance in choosing the right side hustle and in what we can do with the resources He has blessed us with.