Is it wrong for Christians to make money off of speaking and writing?
I’ve been blogging since 2008, and I recently received an email from a woman chastising me for allowing advertising on my site. I should never charge for spreading the word of God, she said.
That’s a comment that I’ve had countless times in my speaking and writing ministry. And I’m sure it’s one that you’ve had countless times, too! Likely it’s led you to second guess yourself. Am I greedy? Am I being unspiritual?
And so I thought that it would be worth dissecting that argument.
All gifts are spiritual and all gifts are important
When people say that we shouldn’t charge for spreading the word of God, what they mean is this:
If you have the gift of teaching, you should not make money off of it.
But what if you have the gift of hospitality, and you start a catering service? Churches rarely balk at paying a caterer at their events; they only balk at paying speakers.
What if you have a green thumb and you start a nursery? You’re allowed to charge for the plants you sell.
Ah, but that’s different. That’s not ministry.
But isn’t it? Paul clearly says that:
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:17)
We may make a distinction between the two, but Paul didn’t. All of us are involved in spreading the kingdom.
It’s interesting, because the latest woman to criticize me was the wife of a pastor. So she felt that it was okay for her husband to make his living with the word of God because “pastor” is a respected job, but any other way is somehow wrong.
“A worker is worth his wage”
Paul said a few other interesting things, too.
For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
(1 Timothy 5:18)
And I’ll let Paul’s words speak for themselves from 1 Corinthians 9:
This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don’t we have the right to food and drink? Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas. That is, Peter? Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?
Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?
But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
We have costs
Here’s another thing I’ve run into, especially as a blogger: the bigger my blog gets, the more expensive it gets.
When I started out at To Love, Honor and Vacuum (my marriage blog), I used a free blog platform and I had no expenses. Eventually I had to buy my own domain. Then I had to hire help. Then I started to pay for graphic images. Then I had to pay for more expensive hosting.
Not to be crass, but it’s at the point now where my costs, just to keep the blog up and running, are close to $2000 a month. I used to pay not much to host, but then my site kept crashing. So now I’m paying for more than I need just so that it’s always up and running. Then I have my shopping cart costs, my mailing list costs, my graphics costs, my social media scheduler costs, and so much more.
Add to that that I now have three people working for me, at least part time. And running my blog gets expensive!
So what do I do to raise $2000 a month (plus all the wages and more expenses)? I have to cover them in some way.
We would not tell a Christian who owned a plumbing company that fixed toilets in churches that they should do plumbing for free and not cover their expenses, and pay their employees out of their own savings. We would not tell a caterer who worked at church events that they should pay for all the food that they supply and pay their employees out of their own pocket.
And so neither should we tell that to speakers or writers, too.
I think the woman who wrote in complaining about me doesn’t understand that putting something up online actually can cost quite a bit of money, if you want to do it effectively. It doesn’t have to, of course, but as you grow, your costs also grow. This is true as we speak, too! The busier we get, the more we need someone else to help us handle our bookings. The more we need to revamp our website. The more we need banners and other branding items.
So how should we cover those costs?
Being a nonprofit ministry can restrict Kingdom impact
Here’s what I also said to her, and which I hope people understand.
When costs get substantial, and when our ministries start growing, there is a temptation to start a “nonprofit”, where we raise money to keep funding our ministries.
If I were to decide to raise money to keep the blog afloat, though, then I would be asking my loyal readers to take funds that they might otherwise give to their local church or to fighting sex trafficking in India or to feeding the hungry and give those funds to me.
Now, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with me making a living from blogging or speaking.
But what if I could do that without requiring Christians to donate money to me?
By allowing advertising, for instance, then Bed Bath ‘n Beyond and Kraft and all kinds of other companies are paying for my blog to be hosted, and then people can still read for free, and can still give their full amount to other Kingdom causes.
What an awesome win-win!
If you sell someone a product, you are not peddling the word of God. You are simply providing someone with something they want.
If someone buys my book and I make money from it, I am not the only one who has benefited from that transaction. The person who bought the book decided that the cost of that book was worth it, because they wanted to read it and have it impact their life.
We both benefit from the transaction (or there wouldn’t be a transaction in the first place).
Similarly, if a church hires you to speak, you are both benefiting from the transaction. The church decides that the chance for their people to hear your message warrants that much money. The church is benefiting, too (or they wouldn’t put the event on in the first place).
If people didn’t think they were benefiting, then they wouldn’t book you or buy your products.
People forget what goes on behind the scenes
I counted it up last year, and in 2016 alone I wrote over 350,000 words on my blog. That’s the equivalent of 7 books-totally free-for anyone to read.
I also work 9 hours a day, every weekday, plus some evenings and weekends. If I take a vacation, then before I leave I have to schedule multiple blog posts for when I’m gone. The blog doesn’t stop.
What about you when you write or speak? People may only see you up at the front, and it may look like you’re having a great time and that you got to enjoy a nice catered meal and talk to interesting people. But they don’t see how much of a physical toll all the travel takes on you. They don’t see all the administrative work that goes into booking these engagements. They don’t see the discouragement when we have to leave home in the middle of a crisis because we have a speaking engagement.
So they don’t see how hard this life can be. Despite what it may look like, this is not necessarily a glamorous life.
Finally, the issue is not making money. The issue is what you do with that money.
The Bible never says there is anything wrong with earning money or making money. The Bible does say there is a ton wrong with hoarding money or with not helping those in need.
Like every other Christian, speakers and writers have a responsibility to take the wages that we earn and use them to further the Kingdom of God. This money is not our money; it is what God has entrusted us with, and we must be good stewards.
That’s how the Kingdom gets multiplied. We speak and write, and people decide that they want to hear the message, so they pay. We may even get sponsors or advertisers, so that other companies are transferring their money into Kingdom work. Then we take that money and potentially hire others to help us. Then we, and our employees, take the wages that we earn and donate a portion to furthering the Kingdom of God.
I work very hard, and I know many of you do, too. If there were no monetary reward, then it’s unlikely many of us could continue at this for very long, because our families would start to feel neglected, and we’d have to earn an income some other way. There is no problem making money doing what we are doing, and we need to stop feeling guilty for it. There is strong scriptural support for it.
We are not making money off of the Kingdom of God. We are contributing to the Kingdom of God. And if we are good stewards of the money that God has trusted us with, then we will be part of expanding the Kingdom of God greatly.
Let me know: do you struggle with making money at what you do? Do you often get criticized for quoting a fee or for trying to sell books or other products? Let’s talk in the comments!
Carrie says
I agree 100%! Thank you for putting it all into words!
SheilaWrayGregoire says
You’re so welcome!
Carrie Daws says
Oh, thank you! Not too long ago, I was volunteering at a ministry table at a church expo, telling passersby about the Bible study that ministry was going to do in the next session. One woman was highly offended, and before storming off, she looked me in the eye and said, “There’s only ONE book.” I was so hurt that she could so easily dismiss all that God had done for others through my books, and all that God has done in me through others in their books. I get weary of hearing so many people who claim to love books harp on the price they must pay in order to own those same books. And I know they don’t understand any more than they understand the hours of preparation that goes into speaking, or all the behind-the-scenes expenses of all that authors and speakers must do. Thank you for openly sharing this! It encourages me. 🙂
SheilaWrayGregoire says
Oh, I’ve had that, too! So many people say, “People should just read the Bible!” I do agree that people should read the Bible. But even in Jesus’ day they needed expositors for applying the Scriptures to everyday life. I write about sexuality in marriage, and honestly, as much as people say that “The Song of Solomon teaches so much”, it really doesn’t on any practical level. Yet I’ve had people tell me, “A new bride just needs to read the Bible”. Yeah, because the Bible tells you all you need to know about how to choose between birth control methods and how to understand the male anatomy. I sometimes think people just like to make others feel small, which is what comments like that do. And that is not of God.
I meant to chime in earlier when I read this, so I just had to come back and share: as a new bride I read the Bible, had a VIBRANT relationship with Jesus, was rock solid in church, had the most amazing marriage mentors any couple could ask for YET I struggled BIG TIME in marriage. It wasn’t until I came across your blog Sheila, started to read it that many intimacy things began to make sense and my marriage began to turn around! I think God leaves a lot of room for personal digging - there’s so much stuff a bride can’t talk about, so many unknowns and private struggles and uncertainties - and God allows these things so she can stretch, and learn, and grow , practically. After all, we seek in order to find, knock for the door to be opened, ask so we can receive! Everything we need is in the Bible but a lot of it has to be translated to every day practical life.
SheilaWrayGregoire says
Oh, that’s so encouraging, Ngina! Thank you for sharing that. And I totally agree-sometimes we need mentors, both in real life and those who write. And that’s totally okay! I think that’s part of God’s provision for us in the body of Christ.
Marcia says
Thanks, Sheila. I’ve had people say similar things, or hint at them. As you say it can be very demoralizing. Lack of support from Christians has been one of the hardest things to deal with for me. Like the time I had a book signing at a local library and no one came. No one! It was especially hard when the librarian asked, “Didn’t your church know about this?” Yeah, they knew. Guess they thought I needed to be humbled? Sigh. If it weren’t for the many readers who have taken the time to tell me how God worked through my words to make a difference in their lives, I’d have quit writing/speaking a long time ago.
SheilaWrayGregoire says
Oh, ouch! That’s awful. That’s also why I never do book signings. Hardly anyone ever shows up (if anyone does at all!). It is so demoralizing. And I think the church just doesn’t know how to encourage authors. My daughter has a big book coming out with Thomas Nelson in October and I’m going to take the lead and make sure her church throws her a big launch party. I think you really need a personal cheerleader to get anything done!
Trish says
Thank you for this post! It was very timely. I’m getting ready to start a blog and have been wondering about making money off of it. Now I feel okay about it!
SheilaWrayGregoire says
Welcome to the blogging world! My big advice: be consistent. Work hard. Figure out your niche and stick to it! 🙂
Lisa says
Thank you, Sheila, for writing this response. I have to laugh because my husband is a self-employed plumber who has frequently encountered “church goers” and “churches” who have not only asked for but have expected free services. A dishonoring attitude has seemed to settle over much of the church today. I have been a bible teacher for nearly 20 years and have a weekly program that airs on several radio stations. This is costly but thankfully I have sponsors that help pay the bills. Though I hear encouraging feedback from listeners it is few and far between that actually help financially. I went into full-time ministry about 6 years ago and have hoped that at some point I would be able to help my husband by contributing financially through speaking etc. As yet this has not been possible primarily due to a lack of value placed on speaking ministries in general. Then to complicate matters many seem to be offended by the marketing of oneself. I recently read an article by someone I greatly respect who made me second guess even having a website and promoting my bible study materials. These can be tough waters to navigate and I certainly wouldn’t be doing what I do if I didn’t believe with all my heart I had been called by God to do it. The sacrifice has been great, the hours long and the challenges endless but the joy of teaching His word and the healing it brings to those who listen is without compare. I needed this timely reminder that what we are doing is very valuable and desiring a fair compensation is not unwarranted. Thanks for the cup of fresh water in a dry and weary land.
SheilaWrayGregoire says
Oh, I’m so glad it could be encouraging to you! And that’s funny about your plumber husband. 🙂 People do expect everything for free, don’t they? It is sad. We should be supporting each other instead of trying to take from each other. It’s a very peculiar mindset.
But I don’t think you need to feel badly about marketing your ministry. How are people supposed to hire you if they don’t know about you? I have a course on how to Launch Your Speaking Ministry that helps figure out how to get word of mouth going, and I’m working on a course right now on how to Grow Your Speaking Ministry that I’m really excited about. A lot of it is about marketing, but I think that’s okay. There’s nothing evil in it. The main thing is our hearts, and what we are doing with the time and money that God has given us to further the Kingdom. That’s what it comes down to.
Sheila, how delightful to read this as I work on my media kit today! (learning from the Bloggers Toolkit 😉 So many excellent points! And so encouraging because I tend to shy away from “promotion”, perhaps because I have floundered in the past but mostly because I couldn’t tell the difference between promoting me and promoting a solutions It’s one thing to try and take the glory in the name of promotion, quite another to develop and promote a solution that is badly need by my readers. I need this clarification in my head, constantly do.
On blog growth and increased costs, I am there right now. Learning first hand how you cannot almost-wing it all the time and the cutting-back that has to happen when a ministry cannot support itself for the most part. I think God is using this season to help me get over my promotion aversion and self doubt 🙂 Thanks for this, I don’t think I have read a better article in this area.
SheilaWrayGregoire says
I’m so glad, Ngina! And I know you are in that stage-you’re going to have to move to the paid version of Mailchimp. 🙂 But it does pay off in the end. It really does. And I know you’re faithful in giving and missions, too, so that’s the big thing. It’s not greedy to want to make a living. The issue is how we live, that’s all.
I agree 🙂 The email-list is key to growing income! I need to jump on board. Thanks for the encouragement.
Linda says
Whew, the blog and comments have been Awesome! I too am starting my speaking career. I write and direct and act in motivational stage plays that my husband and I produce ourselves. We are authors and marriage educators. It is very disheartening when others look at you as if you shouldn’t be doing what you’re doing. I am very thankful to you Sheila and this community for the encouragement. I will be purchasing your course. I know God spoke to my heart and called me to do this. I will not let the negativity of others stop me or make me bitter. Two weeks ago I just released my first motivational cd. Do you have any marketing ideas? We sold them at our production last week and at an alumni breakfast the week before. I don’t want the momentum to stop like with my 2 books.
Heather Adams says
Hi Sheila,
I appreciate all your posts, and this one was very timely for me. Several years ago I believed God was calling me to be a speaker and teacher, after getting opportunities to lead worship music, to teach Sunday School, write devotionals and even preach at my church. I never got paid for any of it, but was willing to call that an investment of time in learning skills. But when I tried to move ahead with following what I thought was my calling, no one responded either in my church or outside. As I heard lots of variations on “we don’t bring in/hire speakers,” I began to wonder if I was wrong about being called to do this. I’ve sincerely prayed for the ability to submit to God’s leading in this. I’m still holding back, but your post has given me something to think about!
SheilaWrayGregoire says
I’m so glad, Heather!
Oh my goodness, yes! I completely agree.
We aren’t “selling Jesus.” That’d be if we were telling people “Oh, give me money and you’ll go to Heaven” or “Give me money and you’ll get blessings.” Um, no. People don’t pay us for that. They pay us for the books we write or the speaking we do — the same as you’d expect to pay ANY author in ANY genre.
How much I make off my blog is inconsequential. I could make $5. I could make $5 million. That has ZERO to do with how much one of my particular books is worth. Yes, I do have a responsibility to God to use that money wisely, but that’s between me and God - not between me and the person buying one of my books.
Christians are allowed to make money too. Shoot, be rich even. There is NOTHING wrong with money or platform or any of that. It’s all in why you have it and how you use it. If bloggers in other niches can make money doing what they love, so can I.
SheilaWrayGregoire says
Very well said!
I’ve resisted monetizing my blog for a long time, because I wasn’t comfortable with it. But when I look at my costs and the reach I have, it just doesn’t make sense for me not to advertise and recoup my expenses. Truth is: I need to make more money doing this work, or I can’t keep doing it. Just like anyone else can’t work for free when they have bills, kids in college, and retirement in the future. Thanks for reminding me yet again that my work has value, both monetarily and in the kingdom.
SheilaWrayGregoire says
Your work really does, J. You do an AMAZING job. And I think God wants you to keep going, because your voice is important.
Sheila, this whole post was spot-on! I kept nodding as I read each new paragraph, because you say so gracefully what I’ve tried to communicate to church event coordinators. I think I’ll just kee this post’s URL on file so I can email it when I get emails on this topic in the future.
Thank you for all you do to encourage writers and speakers to advance God’s Kingdom!!
SheilaWrayGregoire says
Oh, I’m so glad you liked it, Asheritah! And I’m glad I could encourage you!
Audra Coats-Hudson says
Yes and thank you so much! I’m a Christian life coach-I specialize in stress management for Christian women by focusing on life purpose and spiritual growth. I have completely felt the lack of people being willing to pay for my help even thought I’ve spent hours mentoring them 1 on 1. I’ve gotten the feeling that they believe my work should be free because I focus on spiritual growth and it’s been difficult for me to find the balance in that.
But honestly, my skills are valuable and they are useful for building the kingdom and helping women be set free! 1 Timothy 5:18 has been a huge help for me as I work on my mindset-a worker deserves his wages.
Thank you for this encouraging article and thank you so much for The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex-that book was such a help to me.
God bless you for all you do and I hope that you can speak at one of my conferences someday ^_^
SheilaWrayGregoire says
So great, Audra! And I’ve paid life coaches for their time when I’ve had to sort through a tricky problem before. So needed! So you shouldn’t feel badly at all.
And I’m glad my book helped you! 🙂
Beth Terry says
May I chime in and add to Sheila’s response? I also think that often women and Christian women in particular are afraid to ask for payment. We don’t set the boundaries up front and feel, “well this one time I can give it away.” Tell me a time when you went to the grocery store and they said that to you. Has your electrical utility told you, “well, this one month we won’t charge you?”
We need to value ourselves and our contributions. We need to understand a very simple physics principle: “Things only work when there is equal sharing of energy.” There needs to be a give and take for things to be in balance. When we give and give and give, a weird thing happens: the recipient begins to resent us. We have not allowed them to give back, and thus the relationship is out of balance. By not allowing them to give back, we say we are superior to them. We make them feel bad about themselves. Look into your own lives and you will understand what I’m saying.
I have noticed in my life when I am “helping” people, in my mind I am reaching down to them. When I am “supporting” them, I am side-by-side with them or standing beneath them lifting them up. Giving it away for free is “helping.” It’s what I call “the arrogance of generosity.” I’m saying, “Look upon me. I’m your savior. Let ME HELP YOU.” I am clear that I am no one’s savior. I am a signpost, singer of praises, an example of resilience and Faith. With that mindset, I’m able to SUPPORT people. When they pay me, they are balancing out the equation.
It’s all good. We all need to keep learning, keep believing in ourselves and our mission. Be who you were called to be, and be willing to earn a living at it!
Blessings,
Beth
Crystal Daye says
Thank you so much for this blog. I’m from Kingston Jamaica and the Lord led me to leave my 9-5 and do my business/ministry full time and I’ve been having a difficult time truly charging for my speaking and Coaching services. This has given me quite some peace.
Jesse B says
Why would it be wrong? Whats wrong is the love of money. Let the money work for you. Bless others out of the abundance that God gives you!
SheilaWrayGregoire says
Yes-but God gives us that abundance when we work.
Beth Terry says
Thank you for your thoughtful blog post, which I will happily share with many other Professional Speakers in my circle. I’m a minister’s kid and a Professional Speaker. My father always told me that we are each given gifts and skills that we are to use to improve the world. He also admonished me to remember that we cannot make a difference in the world if we are unable to eat, clothe ourselves or provide shelter over our heads.
The Bible echoes this sentiment in Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
How can we have hope and a future if we are starving and unable to take care of ourselves. Nowhere in the Bible does it say we should lay about and let others take care of us when we are healthy and able-bodied.
I like one of the messages Mark Victor Hansen gave in a speech on his own personal epiphany: “The best thing we can do for the poor is not be one of them.” Indeed, how to we expect to have enough to tithe, donate to the poor, send money to Hurricane and Tsunami victims if we cannot put enough food on our tables to feed our own families?
There is a false and very sanctimonious self-aggrandizement in the message that we should do what we do for free. Often that message comes from someone who is very well taken care of.
I am not the Christ. I do not know how to magically turn water into wine or one fish into thousands… but I DO know how to take a demotivated person and re-energize them to do what God has called them to do and to be. I DO know how to lift people up from their daily cares and remind them to keep their eyes on the Holy Spirit. I DO know how to reach into a person’s heart and help them believe once again in themselves and a better future. Why should I not receive sustenance for that God-given ability. Is that not why I was given that gift?
As you say, just as a caterer, a hotel operator, a chef, a truck driver, a street cleaner or a CEO is paid for their contribution to creating a better world, so should all of us be paid for our contribution.
As a Professional Speaker, I make my living by spending days, weeks and months preparing and reading, researching and creating an effective speech or workshop for my clients. I must pay for my office, my overhead, my lights, my computer, my water and electricity. I don’t get all that for free. To give it away puts me in dire straits and would make me a ward of the state where I would not be able to share my gifts. Suggesting I don’t “work” because I work from home or I stand up and speak on stage is pure hubris and really not a Christian mindset at all.
Continue to preach this message, Sheila. We need to be supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ and not repressing or shaming them from earning a living.
Blessings,
Beth
Kerrilynn says
Yes! Thank you for taking the time to write all of this. I think I needed to read it out in so many words. I’ve been so frustrated, confused, and discouraged. Just because my skill is in helping field, should I not be able to earn a small living? I have had people tell me I shouldn’t charge for workshops and classes. Somehow, I should expect my family to be ok with me taking our budgeted money for food, clothes, and housing and pay for the costs for people to come for free. I should leave my family and ask them to fill in the gap, and be given nothing for my time. I should invest in continued training, and expect to not recover any of my investment. How can people be so insensitive? In person or over email, people have complained about small fees (15.00 for a four hour class) that basically cover the supplies, snacks, and babysitter for my kids so I can show up and give. They want to attend, but don’t want to pay. I am in the red every month.
I’ve been struggling with how I can do this work if I cannot be paid. I have concluded that I should be paid for my time, training, skills and gifts. I truly want to serve the Christian community, but I believe I’ll need to have a thick skin when it comes to requiring an exchange of money for my services.
Thank you for this timely and needed encouragement.
By the way, I’m a certified life coach and offer coaching, workshops and speaking. I also blog for free, create free downloads, give anyone one free coaching session, and offer sliding scale and a pro bono slot for women who cannot afford. I am no longer going to feel guilty because I want to make enough money to pay the bills, and maybe even have enough over that to help contribute to my family.
It helps to know I’m not alone!
Monisha says
Exactly sister Sheila!
I had to unlearn some of these things himself as I started knowing more and more about Father’s heart for us. Just until few weeks back, I had thoughts or I would say a condemning voice inside me saying, how can I think about making money by distributing my magazine. Funny thing is I haven’t even started doing it. It is a Christian lifestyle magazine I am working upon.
I went to different people and got different opinions on this…that left me even more confused and deeply hurt. Extremely hurt because I was in a position, frustrated that unable to even know what My Father is like.
Then it hit like a thunderbolt, He is your Father, the one who cares and wants to provide your daily needs.
Then the wisdom came that until we are in this world, money is the means of transaction for every need. When I am asking for money - I am actually asking for food, I am asking for electricity, I am asking for water, I am asking for clothing…that too not just for myself.
After asking people, I then thought there is only one person who knows Father’s heart very well and only He can reveal it to me correctly…without confusion and error. The precious Holy Spirit!
1 cor 2:11 - “For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”
So I asked Him.
…….and He brought me to 1 Corinthians 9:13-14
We are all preaching Gospel in someway or the other. We use different tools - if speaking is a tool for some, writing is for some others, and so are catering, hospitality, art therapy, artists etc.,
So yes…It is okay with Father if I get a living using any of these tools I use preaching the Gospel.
At the end of the day, all I have to boast is that my Father fed me!
Such a blessing that I got to read this today.
God Bless you.
Monisha
India
Thank you so much, Sheila! That is just what I needed to hear. I am a writer but have been discouraged about earning money by “telling people about Jesus.” Now, it’s time to get writing again and flourishing like never before! Matthew 10:10, Luke 10:7, and 1 Corinthians 9:7-14 have been huge helps to me because Jesus actually said, “The (Christian, evangelical)* worker is worthy of his wages,” and Paul said in 1 Cor. 9:14, “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.” First Timothy 5:17-18 also: “For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” These verses should give every Christian writer the go-ahead and freedom to work without fear while earning money as long as they are dedicated to the LORD. *my explantion
FLo Dorsey says
Thank you Jesus! for this forthright discourse. Amen!!! I have struggled for two years with all this. I am a business women and finally said, “If I cannot pay to keep “the doors open” what good have I done?” Does it promote the kingdom of God to have me fail?
Thank you! Thank you! I look forward to learning more from you. I appreciate what you are sharing with us all.
Rob says
Thank you for saying this. I wish and pray the churches and your everyday church-goer and Christian on the street saw things this way. I invested 5 years of my life on an online Christian radio show speaking on current events issues, politics, applying the Bible to daily life, testimonies of Jesus Christ (over 225 people I interviewed), and had very few people (practically no one) help in the way of donations to support me. My own church pretty much rejected me and offered no guidance during that time. I’ve since stopped doing the radio ministry because I got married and needed to create stability for my wife and I. Ive also tried to get back into my public school teaching career, and I did, but was fired after I believe students and parents complained about what someone found online, namely, the radio show. Now it’s been two years that I haven’t been able to get a proper job because I can’t pass the security clearance (because of comtent online, I know it, although I can’t prove it). I’ve had to resort to selling windows door to door and my wife works from non-stop. Needless to say, this had put a lot of strain on our marriage. Sorry for the sob story, but I hope Christians start understanding that ministries require support or they’ll die; it’s as simple as that. And the irony is, the darker out culture gets, the more Christian ministries are needed, but the less they’re supported unless something changes.
Chontay D Taylor Glenn says
This is true also for professional counselors/mental health in the kingdom.
Many Christians glean off this gift from others and refuse to pay. They reach out for countless hours of counsel and consultation, but do not pay because “you are supposed to be a Christian”.