Adsense Tips for Bloggers 2 - Is Your Blog Suitable for Adsense?

Darren,

It's a sad day when a "Christian's" sidebar links contain http://2.marketbanker.com/mb/click.php?sid=12059&banner_id=10015791&ssc=96d111bfb827b3e3145d6a31dab7805a

When I look further at the sidebar links, I begin to sense a bigger ca$h desire than a God desire. One who truly cares about spreading the good news, doesn't need to worry about the dollars. And why would you choose something so blatantly obvious as cashing in on divorce. It's a sad day.

Warren » 10 June, 2004 2:59 PM

Thanks for the comment Warren.

Actually I hadn't noticed that ad before - those ads are served randomly to my site and change from hour to hour.

I will be removing myself from that program based on that ad alone - thanks for the heads up.

However having said that I don't think your comments are fair regarding your statement:

'I begin to sense a bigger ca$h desire than a God desire. One who truly cares about spreading the good news, doesn't need to worry about the dollars.'

I'm really sorry, but I don't think you really see my heart. I've given up the last 10 years of my life for God as I've struggled to make ends meet while studying and engaging in ministry.

Yes I do have a desire to make a few dollars from my blogging, probably quite similarly to the way in which most of my readers want to make a few dollars to sustain themselves through life from their jobs.

I don't see that earning a living and serving God are mutually exclusive things. I do trust God to provide for me and my family financially and I'm finding that one of the ways God is doing this is through the kind donations and support of people reading this (and my other) sites by visiting some of my sponsors.

I appreciate your making comment on the nature of one of the ads, I'll rectify that by blocking 'random' ads on that program - but I'd also value you taking the time to getting to know my desires a little before making such assumptions.

Darren Rowse » 10 June, 2004 3:14 PM

Darren,

Yes we all work, as we are supposed to do, however, if we truly trust the Lord to provide in our works for Him, he will answer the financial needs of maintaining a blog if that is what he wants you to do.

Fund raising, tithing, and gifting messages are fine but advertisements galore cheapen the focus.

Perhaps I over-reacted to the divorce advertisement. Admittedly, I saw the title and was confused so I clicked on it and the "WOW" flag went off in my head.

There are many very deceptive churches in the world today and everyone needs to be alert to that.

Earning a living through service to God is certainly acceptable and biblically sound. Your church body, whether local or the wired world, should provide that as the Lord dictates.

Warren

Warren » 10 June, 2004 4:37 PM

I guess we have different ideas about how God provides Warren. I agree that he does, but sometimes think he does so through giving us skills and opportunities to earn money ourselves.

I'm open to God providing through my church (although it is only 10 people at this stage and therefore not in a position to pay me a full time wage) or through donations from people who read this site (its not something that tends to happen much) but I also sense that God's given me some skills in communicating through writing and networking people around the world. For some reason people come to this blog in their thousands and there is an opportunity to earn a small amount of money from it doing something that I love in this way.

I'm wondering if in what you're saying you're implying that I don't trust God enough for his provision by putting ads on my site? I guess thats an interesting question and one that I'm open to being challenged on.

However in my prayer and discerning God's will I keep coming back to the fact that God is challenging me to work on ways of generating an income to help sustain myself.

To me this is as much God's provision as any other way.

This blog is not and was never only about ministry or faith. I write about the things that interest me, including emerging church, blogging, pop culture, mission, books, marketing, movies and general life stuff. The ads on this site reflect that and I work hard to make sure they do not dominate or compromise my beliefs.

Darren Rowse » 10 June, 2004 5:09 PM

lol
greed is a deadly sin is it not

hah » 18 June, 2004 4:32 PM

I feel that the advertising on this site is minimal. It is also confined to it's own space adjacent to any postings. So really, a reader has a choice, read it or ignore it. Google adsense normally provides relevant on topic alternate linking, so of all the advertising available, this type of advertising is the least obtrusive and the most useful to those who are interested.

I sincerely believe that I am a Christian, as I have asked for His forgiveness and acceptance and try to live my life as God would intend, however I cannot claim to be expert on these matters. Also I do not possess an infallible recall of doctrine.

But, I do seem to recall a saying, biblical or otherwise that "God helps those that help themselves." Whilst I, in no way demean the receiving of donations and the like, I am sure that if one has a popular blog and one has the opportunity to earn an income through advertising, then - why not?

How can one be certain that this is not an opportunity provided by God? If so, would it not be foolish to ignore it.

Darren, I would say let your "conscience" dictate, and by "conscience" I mean "that innermost feeling that is surely provided by God"

Thank you for a very interesting blog.

Neil

Neil » 26 July, 2004 1:53 AM

Some of you holier than thou Christians make me shiver. If God will "answer the financial needs" of those with good hearts, why are there so many poor people in the world? Are you saying they aren't good people? Here's some "good news" for those who earn their money: hard work is rewarded, not begging. I respect a site that makes money from advertising much more than one that asks people to donate and begs for handouts.

Patty » 8 August, 2004 10:30 PM

I wouldn't worry too much about the ad thing. Yes, be careful about allowing ads that fly in the face of Christian truth and values, but I don't see that ads in themselves are wrong. I read Christianity Today and notice that it contains a lot of ads. I suspect it has something to do with making money for the authors and publishers. I don't see how that is a lack of faith. I read somewhere, "Never ignore your critics when they are right, but never fear them when they are wrong."

Steve Hanchett » 21 September, 2004 8:26 AM