Making money off of your blog. {Day 22} Heart Matters

Whether or not you make money off of your blog seems to be a hot topic among Christians. It seems to be acceptable if your blog is a tight niche blog and if you consider it a job. It is a whole other story if you claim to minister from your blog yet you earn some cash on occasion because of it. I hope to offer some insight here.

There was a time several years ago where I was an independent business woman… and a stay at home mom.

I sold kitchen products. I sold lots of kitchen products. I very much enjoyed what I did. I began selling the kitchen tools because I was absolutely head over heels for them. I wasn’t a good salesperson. I was simply very good at sharing my excitement about the products and that is what sold them.

I only left home one or two nights a week to do cooking demonstrations and I got to bring home a few hundred dollars a month to help cover expenses. I got to do some things I love: cook, develop relationships, share great tips and products, and make money. The best part of it all was that it got me in the door to minister to others. I know of at least 3 people who gave their life over to Christ as a result of my ministering to them through the cooking demonstrations. I finally quit because I got too big and pregnant to haul around all of that stuff. But still, it is something I have missed. There is an entrepreneur in me and sometimes she just has to come out. It is the heart of why I let her surface that makes the difference. Hear me out…

If you blog with the intention to make money then from the perspective of your heart you are operating a business. You can still minister through that business but it is a bit different. If you blog with the intention to help others and minister to them but you happen to make some money on occasion then that is okay too. The problem for any Christian lies in choosing the money over God or His people. Jesus tells us in Matthew 26:32-40 that we are to love God first, with all of our heart, soul, and mind and then we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. If we choose money over either God or people in any of the circumstances above (business blog or ministry blog that happens to make money on occasion) then we are in sin and need to repent and correct it.

Paul was a tent maker. In order to provide for himself he made tents while on his journeys to spread the gospel.  See Acts 18:1-3; 20:33-35 and Philippians 4:14-16. It is reasonable to assume that as we use our blogs to minster then it is okay to do the side job or two to make some money. The Proverbs 31 woman is also full of examples of a woman taking care of her family and ministry all the while helping to provide finances for her household.

Let me clarify a bit.

It is a matter of the heart. If you choose to display ads that are against what you believe the bible tells us then that is a sin. You are putting money before God. If you feel convicted about something that you make money from but ignore it and continue to make the money then that is a sin. And, I will note that conviction may not be the same for everyone. If it is in direct contradiction with the bible then don’t do it. If it isn’t directly addressed in the bible but you feel conviction then don’t do it. If you are uncertain then pray about it. He will speak to you concerning the matter.

I know there will be varying opinions on whether or not ministry related blogs should accept advertising but my perspective, the one I have peace with God about, is this: I am passionate about writing and blogging. I pray regularly that God would strip me of selfish intent. I eventually follow my convictions and do what God says, even with teeth gritting at times. I write, teach, and minister using a means that I believe God gifted me for. Many people do this every day in their profession. I’ve heard many convey that their heart is to go to work each and every day to do God’s will and follow where He leads them. They see the paycheck as a gift from Him. Is it not His money anyway?

I also hear of ministers who speak at no cost but who are willing to take offerings if it is given to them. We shouldn’t turn down a blessing or deny someone else the chance to bless us.

I said all of that to say that if I do accept sponsorship it is only form those I have no red flags about. I also don’t think there is anything wrong with making a small commission for referring others to products that I recommend. I have removed ads before because I felt convicted and there have also been seasons when I felt convicted but then later felt released again. It will be different for everyone. And just to clarify, there are very few bloggers who are making ridiculous amounts of cash. Most of us are luck to make a couple hundred dollars a month. We must take the absolute scripture and compare it to the reasons we want to do something and make sure they are in agreement.

Ultimately, whether you make cash off of your blog is a decision that is up to you. Only you will face Him on judgment day.

If you have varying opinions or just want to chat about the issue then let’s hear it in the comments.

In the next post we will address ways to actually make money.

Find the rest of the series here: 31 Days to Online Ministry

Also check out:

• Missed BlissDom 2011? Get It Here. It’s just like being there!
• ? 31 Days to Build a Better Blog – Easy step by step ways to improve your blog presence!
• Simple Blogging. – Don’t have 40 hours a week to spend on blogging? This E-book helps you grow your blog with less time on the computer.