Posts in this Series:
Giving Your Blog to God
Promoting the Gospel
Making Money from your Blog Isn€™t Wrong, Greed Is
When to Quit, When to Take a Break
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For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:10
Making money from a blog is a hotly debated topic in Christian blogging circles. Some people suggest you lose your integrity when you make money from blogging and the other side says it’s perfectly alright to make money as long as you maintain your integrity.
Rather than shy away from this topic, I’m going to meet it head on and hopefully lay some of the debate to rest.
Making money from blogging isn’t a bad thing and it doesn’t show a lack of integrity in and of itself. In fact, it is very difficult for an outsider to truly judge the motives and character of a blogger based solely on the fact that they make money through their blog. The truth of the matter stands between God and the blogger.
So, stop judging the topic of making money from blogging based on random perceptions and look at it from a biblical standpoint that only includes two individuals…you and God.
-What are your motives for wanting to make money from blogging? Do they exhibit a lack of trust in God’s provision? Do they exhibit a tendency toward greed? Or are you pursuing an income from blogging as a way to be a wise steward of your resources and time?
-If you have an aversion to making money from blogging, why is that? Is it the Holy Spirit giving you discernment of how you might react if you were to start making money from blogging? Is it because you have perceived greed in others who make money from their blogs? Are you setting a double standard in which you believe making money from something like writing freelance articles or a book is somehow more acceptable than making money from writing a blog? Is blogging equal to being an entrepreneur?
-Do you have the time or the need for a part time job? We are to be keepers at home and not running from house to house (or blog to blog). Is there a financial need in your family that could be filled by blogging without taking away from the family? Do you have your husband’s blessing?
-Do the things you make money from support the mission of your blog and the Word of God? It would be wrong to promote products you know nothing about simply to make a quick buck. You can never let your guard down and expect greed to stay away. Make a mission statement for your blog and then only promote products that match that mission statement. This is precisely the reason I work hard to block certain Google Ads on my site. Yes, I could make more money if I allowed more categories, but it would not be money made with integrity.
I hope this has given you some food for thought about the motives and intentions behind making money from blogging. It really must be something you bring before God, humbly and in submission to His will.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
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Whitney says
I’m really enjoying this series. Thank you for your thoughts about Blogging as another outlet for the ministry/mission God has called you to. It has challenged me to be more intentional and prayerful in my blogging. (I’m more on the humor side of life – always looking for the giggle God is giving us!) But I can still have intention. 🙂
Elizabeth says
This was a great post. Thanks for sharing your opinions and insights. I guess I was in the dark — I didn’t even realize that some people thought it was “evil” to make money blogging! 🙂
Amy Anne says
I didn’t even know it was an issue either. I guess I’m just out of the loop. Then again the first 10 years that I blogged I didn’t even know that you could make money from blogging. Then I gave up blogging altogether after 12 years because it just wasn’t fun anymore.
Kim S says
Amy,
First, I wanted to thank you for your honesty. Sometimes it’s hard to talk about things that are debated, but it is usually worth it in the end. I believe that God desires Christians to be united and not to allow issues to divide us. Your post so lovingly addressed these hot topics.
Personally, I have struggled a bit with this issue. Fortunately, God has given me a very clear vision. I believe that He called me to begin blogging in a more public domain (beyond my personal blog) and that he intends to use it to provide income for my children and I during this time of waiting for His intervention in my very broken marriage. He has been so faithful. The new blog has only been up for a month, but it has blessed me beyond what I could have ever imagined. And thus far, I haven’t made a dime! Blessings to you!
Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama says
I make money from my blog and our goal (as a family) is to increase that money over time. It will help us meet some family goals to provide a better life for our children (namely, getting to move to a farm). And growing the blog will slowly enable me to step back. We feel strongly that this is the right Biblical decision for our family. (We have discussed, prayed, and researched it at length — we believe God wants us to be compensated fairly for our work and we must work hard and be good stewards of His resources — since they are really not ours anyway.)
KM Logan says
This is so much like how my husband and I feel.
Jacki M. says
Great post! While we havent started making money with the blog (no idea how) I completely agree with you saying that it is important to only promote this that support your blogs mission (God’s mission).
KM Logan says
Such a good post, and good things to consider. God has placed such a strong vision on my heart about earning money from my writing, there’s no question in my mind my blogs will be a part of that. I guess I didn’t even realize there was such a controversy. I always assumed blogs and ads went hand in hand.
Debra @ Sweet Kisses and Dirty Dishes says
I’m just now starting to try making a few dollars here and there on my blog.
I have also decided not to do google ads. Mostly I’m switching to wordpress and getting a design, so I’m more worried about losing money at this point.
I am trying to make the plunge slowly because I love blogging and I want it to be more something I enjoy and bless others while doing it then a source of income.
It makes me wish I could work on more collaborative ebooks. I really enjoyed my first experience with that. 😀
Stephanie says
Thank you for sharing. I have a handful of blogs, write several articles and have just begun my new – renewed journey as a Christian. I wanted to blog about it, share scriptures and quotes that I come across, along with randomness such as recipes, book reviews and that kind of thing. All-and-all, just a Christian-mommy blog. I have several different affiliate counts and wanted to add it as well but wasn’t sure. I haven’t even made my first guest post and obviously don’t have any followers for the new blog but before I went any further and decided to monetize I was wanting to know if it would be bad to do so. I know you are not suppose to make money off of the Lord and I didn’t think it would be considered the same but at the same time, you never know what the devil is trying to make you misjudge. Thank you for posting on this as it is a very controversial topic yet, hard to find any info on!
God bless!
Vincent Duncombe says
Thank you very much for sharing this content. I think that Christians do err greatly by thinking that God does not want them to prosper. We must remember that we are His managers … Why would He not what His managers to do well if they are working on His business? The issue is we look at other rich people and think that we will have to be just like them if we succeed … we don’t. God has a purpose and a mission for us and we can use the money we make to support and further His cause.
Blessings on your blog.
Dottie says
Thank you for this post! I have been struggling myself with the subject since I first started my blog. I share your belief that no one will know your true intentions except God. I also believe that God will not bless a Blog Ministry He has not ordained. Blogging is my training period for the greater God has in store for me.
Thanks again. Love, Peace, & Blessings!
Mary says
Hi,
I was very confused whether to go for blogging or not. But your article motivated me to start with the help of the Holy Spirit. I am going for it. Thank you so much.
Amy Edelman says
I don’t mind people (seems like mostly SAHM’s) making some money off of blogging by sharing whatever it is they think is important or spreading God’s word. (I think sharing God’s word should be free, but any ideas the blogger comes up with for managing a home, a recipe etc is different)
However the shift in the last 4-5 years is annoying because you get “Excitement” or “hope” when you go to read about an idea that may help you manage your home better or a way to make your marriage better, and you get 3 paragraphs and then a link at the bottom that says “Buy me e-book”
Now sharing products with affiliate links, that’s a neat way to make money and also share what you love, but I find it rather annoying to be sharing information that you believe will help people, but then tell them they need to buy your “e-book” (The “Your” does not mean your blog, I am talking in general)
The other thing that is rather rude, in my opinion, is those Pop-ups that ask for your email address to be added to an email list. And that is a great idea to get your blog out there, but recently I noticed bloggers, Yes even “Christian” bloggers putting little “guilt” messages attached to them when you hit No. The last one I saw said “Would you like to see your marriage improve?” But it is really to join their email list. There is no need for the guilt statement.
I very rarely visit blogs anymore. I’ve gone back to reading books or doing things myself, and just reading the Word straight from the Source.
Amy Edelman says
Buy My* not Me* lol
Amy says
I totally agree with this. And sometimes bloggers…yes, even me…go astray when it comes to “opportunities.” I’m thankful for the readers who have stuck by me even when I’ve made horrendous mistakes in promoting things or not offering USEFUL content because I am like you – I get so grumpy when I see some graphic on Pinterest that says, 10 Great Tips for Doing Such and Such, only to lead me to a post with no meat, nothing that will actually HELP me. I try very hard to stay “reader focused” here on Raising Arrows, but I still fail from time to time. There are still online sites that actually help me in my homemaking and homeschooling, but they seem to be few and far between these days.
Mandy says
I really appreciate hearing this perspective. Thanks for giving this issue some real thought!
I find it interesting that people question making money from a blog, but would never question a Christian author, speaker, minister, or missionary getting paid!
Linda says
An observation concerning the topic of whether or not to receive money from having a Christian blog….is it wrong to be a teacher and expect an income from teaching? Is it wrong to be a doctor, a welder, a book author, or a hairdresser and expect to receive compensation from it? Do we as Christians live in a world where we don’t need money to raise our children, feed them properly, and have productive lives, contributing to society in a positive way? Sure God can bless us any way He chooses, but His main way is through our jobs, careers, businesses, and endeavors, as long as we don’t compromise our core values. If a blog allows a woman to be able to spend more time with her family and still be able to contribute financially to her household, I think that’s beautiful. Christians need to be relevant in this day and age while still adhering to godly biblical principles.
Brittany from The Purple Truths says
Thank you for the insight! I recently started blogging on my new site. I have been dealing with my inner thoughts on making an income from my blog. I know God has told me that I wouldn’t get bad from my nonprofit organization, but from my blogging ministry.
Anamaria says
Hi Amy,
I’m writing from Bogota, Colombia. I just found your website and I think it’s very nice and helpful in many aspects. I want to start a blog but I was exactly wondering if it was greedy to profit from it while spreading the Word. This article has been extremely helpful as I have never been motivated by any kind of greed while planning my posts and everything related to my blog. Thanks for the series, too. Btw, your humility is really encouraging and being able to accept some mistakes (previous comments) teaches si much to us who want to start a “blogging” journey. God bless you!
Guy Nadeau says
Great post. I had struggle and questions about the subject. I love the way you put it. There’s nothing wrong about making money with a blog as Christians as long as it is done with good conscience and going along with what our blog is about.
dimakatso says
thank you for the truth, I honestly believe that at the end it is between the blogger and God. As Christians our goal is to do the work of our Lord on this planet, do everything in accordance to God’s word. I strongly believe that God gave me a gift of using knowledge towards human development. i believe in uplifting the standard of living especially to the poor and vulnerable. my passion of reading and writing led me to do some research on how i can use it to fulfill God’s purpose upon my life because i have been stucked in a career that has never fulfill me not realizing my real call is in education / teaching- i love books, reading, writing, research, .Doing a blog will definitely bring in some money, but the issue will come down to the ethics and morals one holds as a Christian. Doing a business is not wrong at all, Jesus’s disciples were fishermen, that is business, a form of provision for the family and helping other needy people.
I would like to start a blog but just need a step by step guide on how to go about it. i am from South Africa. We are blessed to bless others