This reminds me of Keith Green when he released his album So You Want to Go Back to Egypt. It had no set price. You could choose to pay any price for it, or get it for free. (I paid more than the going price for albums to help susidize those who could not pay.)
Making a podcast or substack free makes perfect sense - so does monetizing it with ads.
Physical art, like books and paintings, have inherent costs to produce. Giving them away can be irresponsible. I had a friend who spent so much on tracts that she couldn't afford rent. (Not art, but you get the idea.)
Art is a luxury, rather than a necessity, so those who choose to avail themselves of it make the implied choice to support it (there's always the library). Even with necessities we don't expect the farmer to provide free food, or the builder to provide a free roof.
Keith Green has come up a number of times when voicing this to others, and his story helped embolden me.
I do agree in responsibility regarding cost, but I think the line “art is a luxury” could be where I disagree. Still, I think a Christian who writes a book as a “luxury product” should sell it for profit. But if an author is writing because they believe the Lord has called them to minister through their work… maybe they shouldn’t.
Paul preached for free and paid for himself because he wanted to and because he wanted to reduce blocks to the gospel, but also said it was right to pay preachers. It sounds like you may be going the way of Paul. 1 Corinthians 9
My only concern: please make sure you’re doing it out of cheerful giving and not because you feel pressured or guilty. At times in this article you sounded like one, at other times you sounded like the other and I couldn’t get a read.
God might not be biting his fingernails thinking ‘oh no! I wish he wasn’t so generous.’ But he might be sighing saying ‘why is he loading burdens on himself? Doesn’t he know my yoke is light? Doesn’t he know his sin is paid for and he’s already welcome in my kingdom as my son? Doesn’t he know his work is worth so much more? Doesn’t he know that when he undervalues himself he’s undervaluing someone I love as my adopted son?’
Thanks for this, Phillip. I've been wrestling with this same question for a few years, now. I appreciate you tackling the question head-on and with bracing rigor!
I've recently come to the same conclusion you have about the way to send my writing into the world (at least for now): without charge. I'm just now making final preparations to start publishing my literary-historical novel telling a backstory to the New Testament letter, Philemon, as a serial on Substack, one chapter a week. First chapter rolls out June 21st. A free serial novel wasn't what I had imagined for the piece at first, but I couldn't be more excited to launch it into the world this way and see what God does. Whether people read it or not, I feel faithful to my calling with this mode of publishing.
I know that I don't monetize my Substack, or my podcast (Just Talkin' About Jesus) simply because I don't need it and want people to have access to it.
And I'm sure I've given away as many of my published books as I've sold. So I guess,
maybe it's okay.
On another note... I was a judge for ACFW contest and judged your book!! It was amazing and I couldn't wait to read more! So happy you won and I got to play a part in that.
I was discussing this same topic with my dad the other day, but with potentially monetizing my own Substack. Though the prospect of being paid to write would be amazing, I couldn’t help but feel like locking my posts behind a paywall would be counterintuitive to my original intentions for writing.
No shade towards Christian creators and entrepreneurs who understandably charge for their work. But, as you said, money isn’t everything, and it certainly shouldn’t be our top priority when trying to expand and disciple God’s kingdom.
All this to say, thanks for sharing this wisdom🙏🏽 I’m sure Christ will bless you abundantly for all the work you do, and He’s certainly smiling at your decision.
It's tough out there, so I can't blame anyone for trying to hustle to make a living off their words. Since I'm otherwise able to provide for myself, I'm happy to give mine away for free. Might throw up a donation page at some point so I could reach the lofty goal of break even. ;)
Now, whether anyone would become more like Christ by reading my fiction? I don't begrudge you that possibility, but I'd be hesitant to claim it.
This reminds me of Keith Green when he released his album So You Want to Go Back to Egypt. It had no set price. You could choose to pay any price for it, or get it for free. (I paid more than the going price for albums to help susidize those who could not pay.)
Making a podcast or substack free makes perfect sense - so does monetizing it with ads.
Physical art, like books and paintings, have inherent costs to produce. Giving them away can be irresponsible. I had a friend who spent so much on tracts that she couldn't afford rent. (Not art, but you get the idea.)
Art is a luxury, rather than a necessity, so those who choose to avail themselves of it make the implied choice to support it (there's always the library). Even with necessities we don't expect the farmer to provide free food, or the builder to provide a free roof.
Keith Green has come up a number of times when voicing this to others, and his story helped embolden me.
I do agree in responsibility regarding cost, but I think the line “art is a luxury” could be where I disagree. Still, I think a Christian who writes a book as a “luxury product” should sell it for profit. But if an author is writing because they believe the Lord has called them to minister through their work… maybe they shouldn’t.
Paul preached for free and paid for himself because he wanted to and because he wanted to reduce blocks to the gospel, but also said it was right to pay preachers. It sounds like you may be going the way of Paul. 1 Corinthians 9
My only concern: please make sure you’re doing it out of cheerful giving and not because you feel pressured or guilty. At times in this article you sounded like one, at other times you sounded like the other and I couldn’t get a read.
God might not be biting his fingernails thinking ‘oh no! I wish he wasn’t so generous.’ But he might be sighing saying ‘why is he loading burdens on himself? Doesn’t he know my yoke is light? Doesn’t he know his sin is paid for and he’s already welcome in my kingdom as my son? Doesn’t he know his work is worth so much more? Doesn’t he know that when he undervalues himself he’s undervaluing someone I love as my adopted son?’
Cheerful giver verse is from 2 Corinthians 9, amusingly. No typo, I promise
Thank you for thinking this through and sharing these ideas so honestly. This has given me a lot to think and pray about.
Thanks for this, Phillip. I've been wrestling with this same question for a few years, now. I appreciate you tackling the question head-on and with bracing rigor!
I've recently come to the same conclusion you have about the way to send my writing into the world (at least for now): without charge. I'm just now making final preparations to start publishing my literary-historical novel telling a backstory to the New Testament letter, Philemon, as a serial on Substack, one chapter a week. First chapter rolls out June 21st. A free serial novel wasn't what I had imagined for the piece at first, but I couldn't be more excited to launch it into the world this way and see what God does. Whether people read it or not, I feel faithful to my calling with this mode of publishing.
Wow.
You've given me a lot to think about, thank you
This is excellent, Phillip – thank you for writing it, man
Thanks for being here and reading it. The Lord is really good, and I’m grateful He is patient with us.
A very interesting thought.... hmmmm.
I know that I don't monetize my Substack, or my podcast (Just Talkin' About Jesus) simply because I don't need it and want people to have access to it.
And I'm sure I've given away as many of my published books as I've sold. So I guess,
maybe it's okay.
On another note... I was a judge for ACFW contest and judged your book!! It was amazing and I couldn't wait to read more! So happy you won and I got to play a part in that.
That’s so kind, Jan! Thanks for volunteering your time at ACFW, and I’m so grateful you enjoyed the book! Also, I’ll check out your podcast today.
Wow! This is so perfectly timed🙌🏽
I was discussing this same topic with my dad the other day, but with potentially monetizing my own Substack. Though the prospect of being paid to write would be amazing, I couldn’t help but feel like locking my posts behind a paywall would be counterintuitive to my original intentions for writing.
No shade towards Christian creators and entrepreneurs who understandably charge for their work. But, as you said, money isn’t everything, and it certainly shouldn’t be our top priority when trying to expand and disciple God’s kingdom.
All this to say, thanks for sharing this wisdom🙏🏽 I’m sure Christ will bless you abundantly for all the work you do, and He’s certainly smiling at your decision.
Thanks for the kind words, Mariah!
It's tough out there, so I can't blame anyone for trying to hustle to make a living off their words. Since I'm otherwise able to provide for myself, I'm happy to give mine away for free. Might throw up a donation page at some point so I could reach the lofty goal of break even. ;)
Now, whether anyone would become more like Christ by reading my fiction? I don't begrudge you that possibility, but I'd be hesitant to claim it.