By Steve Laube
Last week’s post by Tamela, “I thought I was Rich!” inspired me to address the topic further. Money is of significant importance to each and every one of us. Some writers live on the revenue generated by their efforts. We represent a number of clients who are the main bread winner in their family.
It is unfortunate that the role of the agent is regularly defined by the size of the deal. The film “Jerry Maguire” made the slick money-centered agent into a cliche with his client shouting “Show me the money!” Don’t get me wrong, I firmly believe that the “labourer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7 KJV). You and I earn our wages. There is no entitlement or hand out. If I represent a weak project it won’t sell and I won’t be paid. If you write a weak project it won’t sell either.
The problem comes when money, usually a lack thereof, becomes a distraction. I remember talking to an author years ago who would live off advances and royalty checks as if they were a weekly salary. Once the bank was empty the author would go to the publisher and beg to borrow against future earnings. This yo-yo financial state created enormous pressure on the ability of that writer to create new material.
While that is an extreme example it is illustrative of the dangers of mismanaging money. But what about those who are driven by the need for bigger deals or even a new deal citing money as the catalyst of their anxiety.
I came across a convicting list entitled “Signs That I Love Money” from Alistair Begg in his message “Restructuring Our Finances.”
Signs that I love money:
1) When money thoughts consume my day
2) When the blessings of others make me jealous
3) When success is defined by what I have vs. what I am in Jesus Christ
4) When my family is neglected in my pursuit of money
5) When I close my eyes to the genuine needs of others
6) When I live in paralyzing fear of losing my money
7) When I am prepared to borrow myself into bondage
8) When I give to God my left-overs rather than my first- fruits
Ouch. I wish I had not read that for I am guilty. Instead I should endeavor to turn that around and redeem the problem by being thankful. And what a perfect week to be thinking about that.
As we move into the season of Thanksgiving let us give thanks. Thanks for the provisions that we do enjoy. For the roof over our heads and the food on our plates. For the freedoms we enjoy and our Lord who will provide (Jehovah Jireh).
In October 1863 in the midst of a horrific Civil War and only a few months after the Battle of Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed these words:
“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that [the gifts of God] should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens… to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”
Steve, what an appropriate subject for this holiday week. Thanks for bringing this up. Sure, I want an agent; I want one of the editors considering my work to say yes to me; I want a new kitchen; want to quit my day job some time this century… want more minutes in a day… But, I’ve come to give thanks to my Lord and Savior for what I do have and trust Him to take care of my needs and desires. In my very humble lifestyle, I am truly rich compared to the majority of this world and am learning to be grateful.
Thanks for making this point Steve. God has blessed us in so many ways. I write the books that I write as a way to serve our Lord. If I can influence people in a positive way, then I have served my purpose in writing. I never expect to make much money. My dream is that my voice will be heard. It is hard to forget about the want for money as we all struggle. Yet, it is important to focus on the gifts that he has already provided during this week as we celebrate Thanksgiving!
Fantastic post.
Thank you for this timely word. Money seems to be the root of all things American whether evidenced by Black Friday and the desire to purchase cheap goods, or the stuffing of ourselves with our pleasures (food and entertainment–including books). Often we support our greed on the backs of others’ low-pay labor. There is little customer loyalty for quality work. One of my favorite contemporary writers must support himself and his family on his writing because his first two books were excellent; the others the work of an artisan foregoing the masterpiece for the easy sale. I would rather read a quality novel every three years (or longer), than a formulaic one every year. Of the dozens of books I read in a year, only one or two stand out. I would want to be one of those one or two authors to my own readers.
What great encouragement, thank you.
I love those words of Abraham Lincoln, I have never read them before. Amazing.
Would that we were still a nation that would heed Lincoln’s words. It is our apathy and outright rejection of God that has brought us to this cultural desert. I believe American will not repent until the financial system collapses, for most Americans love money above all else.
Great thoughts here today. Thanks for getting my mind focused on contentment and what I can be thankful for.
Almost every time I listen to Alister Begg, I come away challenged by something he’s said. You shared, “When success is defined by what I have vs. what I am in Jesus Christ.”
I was reminded that who I am in Christ is the most important thing to remember and to set my life by. Poor sentence structure, I know. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving, Steve, Karen and Tamela!
Steve,
Thank you so much for mentioning two peeple I admire: Abraham Lincoln and Alistair Begg. In my opinion, Alistair Begg is one of the finest “wordsmiths” in the land.
Thank you for reminding us to be thankful for the abundance we enjoy in this country! Our country was founded through God’s grace and blessing and it is so fitting that Abraham Lincoln set aside a day following the war to bring the hearts and minds of people back to the Lord who made our successes possible! Great post!
Excellent post, Steve. Thank you so much for sharing this today, and I’d like to add that even though I don’t leave frequent comments on this blog, I enjoy reading all the posts you, Tamela, and Karen so faithfully write. Thank You!! 🙂
Love Alistair Begg! I always learn from him. And thanks for sharing the words of Abraham Lincoln. It’s eerie how true they are today, nearly 150 years later. In fact, we need them now more than ever. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Steve!
Good word, Steve. Keeping the right perspective on money is always difficult. I just try to remember to thank Him and praise Him for everything I have, since it comes from His hand.
Psalm 100:4
I’m guilty of greed too. I am pursuing professional blogging so I can be freed up from my day job to work full time on my writing. I think that is a good thing, but I can become so obsessive about how I pursue those earnings.
It just means that I have forgotten the gospel. God is sovereign and good and has already provided for my greatest need. My diligence in work should flow be a grateful response to his providence, not a way to make sure things go my way.
Thank you for that reminder.
Steve, thanks do much for this timely post. I hope we will all take time this week and every week to thank God for our blessings instead of always wanting more.