Morals/ethics behind monetizing our stories/challenges?

[steve-in-kville]

This subject came up on another social media platform in a non-Anabaptist setting.

Basically what I am asking is... if a Christian faced some challenges in his/her life, or experienced circumstances that were extraordinary, and later went on to write a book, host podcasts and/or do speaking engagements on such challenges for financial gain, is this wrong?

Vote & discuss.

[Soloist]

This subject came up on another social media platform in a non-Anabaptist setting.

Basically what I am asking is... if a Christian faced some challenges in his/her life, or experienced circumstances that were extraordinary, and later went on to write a book, host podcasts and/or do speaking engagements on such challenges for financial gain, is this wrong?

Vote & discuss.

Is it wrong to make profit off of authorship?
I would say if the goal is to help people it’s less legitimate to charge for it, but if you were donating it that would change my perspective.
People like Steve Stutzman fit the profit off of people needing help I’m thinking of where as I know some authors who are donating the profit to charity.

[MaxPC]

This subject came up on another social media platform in a non-Anabaptist setting.

Basically what I am asking is... if a Christian faced some challenges in his/her life, or experienced circumstances that were extraordinary, and later went on to write a book, host podcasts and/or do speaking engagements on such challenges for financial gain, is this wrong?

Vote & discuss.

For "financial gain" I see it as a questionable ethical effort. It falls into the category of self-indulgence and self-pity for profit in my perspective.

[steve-in-kville]

I typically add my disclosure that I don't have a direction for a thread, or whatever. This one I sorta do in a way with this one, so there is that. I welcome any and all comments.

[Josh]

This subject came up on another social media platform in a non-Anabaptist setting.

Basically what I am asking is... if a Christian faced some challenges in his/her life, or experienced circumstances that were extraordinary, and later went on to write a book, host podcasts and/or do speaking engagements on such challenges for financial gain, is this wrong?

Vote & discuss.

It is definitely wrong of publishers to gain off of publishing such sensational stuff.

[RZehr]

Neutral. I’ve seen a guy missing a bunch of limbs do motivation speeches as his living. Far be it from me to take away his meal ticket.

[steve-in-kville]

It is definitely wrong of publishers to gain off of publishing such sensational stuff.

Give me an example of that. Not sure I follow...

[Josh]

It is definitely wrong of publishers to gain off of publishing such sensational stuff.

Give me an example of that. Not sure I follow...

Publishers collect most of the $$$. They profit from selling sensationalism and telling hair-raising stories.

[steve-in-kville]

It is definitely wrong of publishers to gain off of publishing such sensational stuff.

Give me an example of that. Not sure I follow...

Publishers collect most of the $$$. They profit from selling sensationalism and telling hair-raising stories.

Very true.

[Ken]

I don't see anything wrong with telling your own stories and profiting from them.

I do see a problem with appropriating the stories of others for profit unless you are sharing the proceeds with them in some mutually agreed fashion.