What is your stance on my career choices?

[jennifer_bloom]

I have tried to get rich by writing non-religious books because Jesus said he does not want you to turn your religion into an economic principle for gathering wealth.

But Jesus also donated money to temples by performing miracles that made him rich enough to donate to the Jewish temple, so Jesus is not opposed to paying temple workers or priests who need money to feed themselves and their families...

it's just Paul said the ideal situation is to not charge money for religious services, but sometimes you have no option but to charge others because you need money to survive.

And the 12 prophets say God blesses those who give to the temple so you might be blessing others if you let them donate to your ministry because the bible says God blesses those who help you.

Am I unfounded or incorrect trying to write secular books when for me, writing religious books is a lot easier than secular books?

[purplepoppy]

Write about what you know but remember 99.99% of people will want to know exactly what qualifies you to give them advice and not just opinion. If I'm sick and I want opinions I'll go to the pub, if I want advice I'll ask a doctor.

Same with religion, I may be an atheist but I can respect a priests view because I can understand the path he took to reach it, he's qualified to give guidance because of his training and experience.

It's wise to read the foreward of a book to judge the authors qualifications to write it, any idiot can get a book published and many idiots do. The question is what are you putting in the foreword to demand the readers respect? To elevate yourself to that of qualified religious scholar.

Millions of books get published every year, most only get read by a handful of people, only a tiny number make their author a millionaire.

[Feltonstar]

I think this is one of those times you need to just sit with it and see how you feel. I personally think if it can bring good into the world or if you'd use some of the money to do good in some way, then god would be all for it. But that's just my opinion.

I think books that bring about discuscussion of god may actually help introduce new people to him.

I think the bigger worry for me is is 'i have tried to get rich'. That might be a bigger concern to god. That you have made money your master. Not that there's anything wrong with wanting to sucseed financially of course. But it's just something to be aware of.

[AngryCarl2]

If you're writing as a career you should write what you can get published, and will sell. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with living off the proceeds from religious books.

[AngryCarl2]

Thanks for MHO!

[AviatorTom]

You can write religious books but your market will be much smaller.

[Cal4576]

'I have tried to get rich' seems like the wrong place to start. Ask yourself what would enrich others most.
The church might prefer the millionaire giving a grand to the poor person who can only give a pound but which is the greater sacrifice for others in the eyes of your God?
Pursue the passions you believe he has given you that will allow you to give to the world. There are things that matter more than money

[Anonymous]

Jesus does not want you to turn your religion into an economic principle for gathering wealth? Tell that to the Catholic church. They're like the 9th largest economy in the world.

[jamesgoldman]

Help people and money follows