I don’t know about you, but I’ve purchased and read quite a bit of Christian literature and resources over the years… Bible studies, devotionals, books designed to encourage and challenge me in my faith, church growth literature, small group literature… pretty much the whole gamut of stuff that’s available.
I’ve often wondered, if God is granting these authors all of these wonderful thoughts to share with the world, why in the world are they selling them for profit? Shouldn’t they be made freely available so that all can benefit from the wisdom, knowledge, or direction God is providing?
I’ve wrestled with that question many times, wondering what I would do should God lead me to write some sort of book, study guide, or devotional. Would I make it freely available online, or would I publish it for purchase (if I knew how to go about doing so)?
If you’ve ever pondered that question, I’d encourage you to check out Les Puryear’s post over at sbc IMPACT!. He raises that question and others, and I would anticipate there being some excellent dialogue on the matter.
If you published an interesting book about your life experiences, including how God has worked through you, I see no problem in selling that book for a profit. Of course, I don’t figure you’d be taking credit for anything God did.
We pay pastors, worship leaders, seminary professors, etc. I have no problem with authors selling books.
John-
I see where your going here. In fact, I think we have touched on this matter before. I’ll have to say my emotions are mixed, as we will probably see others are as well.
I’ll start with that I think it is very hard to discern ones intentions. I believe that all of us have been given a God given gift, whether it be writing books, making movies, picking up trash, etc…
The difficult part is utilizing this gift to promote glory to God. This is where we start to worry about “intentions”.
There are many things that we use to worship and to learn more about Him, including books and study guides, as you mentioned. But we also use things like Music, Movies, Printed Literature, Church Bulletins, Buildings, Pews, etc.. You get my drift.
1 Timothy tells us “Those who work deserve their pay!” and I am pretty sure if we asked someone who writes and does research on these paper products to bring to us to utilize, they would tell use that it takes an immense amount of time and effort.
Think of all the people that are affected by that one person writing that book. We have editors, people working in the print shop, binders, packers, shippers, the retail store, the retail employee. All of those people have been put in those places because that book had an author. Think of all the people that have had the chance to hear the gospel through that process.
I don’t think we would have authors, musicians, church buildings, etc, if they were not compensated. For most of them that is their full-time job.
However, I’m with you…where do you draw the line on the compensation. I think this may be where your real concern is. And I don’t know where that is.
I guess the issue I’m trying to get at is not whether people should make a living using the gifts God has given (we all do that… all our talents come from Him), but rather whether the selling of things God intends to be used to accomplish his purposes could be, in and of itself, a hindrance to those very purposes.
THAT’S the issue I struggle with. If God leads some to be full-time authors, speakers, or the like, sure, they need to make a living doing that (somehow). But for some reason, charging for access to the message God has given them (which may prohibit some from being able to access it) just doesn’t sit well with me.
It’s a complicated issue, of course… but aren’t all matters of faith?
I see your point. That’s what I was referring to when I was talking about what intentions they were possessing. I also understand your point of some not being able to see those works.
You never know, maybe God’s purpose for giving him the words to write down was initially so that he could bless him through his obedience to do so. So that He can reach the audience that that book is intended for. Who knows…
I’m probably a little tilted anyway.(being that my father owns a christian bookstore and supported us with sales of those books).
Yes, it is a complicated issue, and we all have our own convictions to deal with.
My view is if you write a book and spend all that time and effort coming up with a blockbuster seller, you should be able to buy an island off the coast of Hawaii and build a castle on the beach. And then spend the rest of your days sitting on the beach getting tan. And then teach Jeffery how to write the next book and take a percentage so you can build another castle on the other side of the island. 🙂
haha:)
I don’t see a problem with people making money on a book. What I do like is what Lifechurch.tv does. They offer “ALL” their resources, videos, curriculum, worship podcasts, etc… for FREE! How Kingdom minded!
Again, I don’t disagree with you guys… making some money off a book is fine. I do have an issue, though, with barriers that could hinder God’s work. Perhaps, like you said Tom… maybe the sale of ministry resources is something blessed by God to support those He’s chosen to use… when those people are blessed financially (especially when blessed abundantly), perhaps then they’re able to share their works with a wide audience freely.
Lifechurch.tv’s model is awesome… all churches should do that kind of thing! Imagine the resources that would be available if that were the case!
This is indeed an interesting dilemma and one for which I have no answer, only some experience.
My Dad put together some literature which I then have made available to the public at http://www.threebrothersbooks.com. These are books by “saints of yesteryear” who are heavy on the devotional aspects and “deeper life.” Dad did not want to market the books so I have abided by his wishes. However, the cost of printing the books and the cost of maintaining the website demands I charge something for the books. Compared to the current pricing of books in Christian bookstores, I am pretty far underpriced. Not only does it not make a living, it doesn’t even pay the costs at this point.
So the questions arise, “Should I market? Should I not market and only pray and ask God to send the customers who want the books (not a bad idea!)? Should I shut it down since the bills are not getting paid?
There is even more experience. I was a practicing physician 20 years ago, given a vision to treat with nutrition and alternative methods that would bring health, not toxicity from drugs. Since my concept of medicine was to serve people, a God-given calling, I figured there should be no charge. Turns out I couldn’t survive. For that and other reasons, left the practice.
Bottom line, (no pun intended), people need to assign value to things, especially those that are valuable. Value in our culture is assigned by dollars. Do we have to ask and grub for it? No! Should we assign value and expect people to respond? Yes, I think so. Can we be free to give it away as soon as it comes in? Sure – a great principle for getting more! Perhaps more importantly, can we be open enough and free enough to listen to Loving Father to hear what He has to say at each choice in our respective roads? I pray so.
Blessings,
Dr Jon
http://www.beingwork.com
PS. I recently set up a blog at Three Brothers Books
http://www.threebrothersbooks.com/blog
where you can get free new material that has not been put into hardcopy print yet. Give it a go!