Just what is the business of writing? Looking at it from a purely secular perspective, successful business means making money. In fact, Webster's dictionary defines business as:

"A commercial enterprise"

And also defines commercial as:

"Having profit as a chief aim"

But should that be our aim? As Christian writers, our aim should be to please the Father, and the only way to accomplish this is to test and approve his will, not to focus on making a profit.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans12:2)

Webster's also shows another definition for business, which I believe will fit our purposes much better:

"Serious work or endeavor"

This business of writing is indeed a serious endeavor and something we should consider with a solemn attitude, knowing that our obedience, or lack of it, can affect many. Surely, if God wants to use your writing as a source of income, he is more than able, but what should your motive be?

A hand went up in the darkened auditorium as wide-eyed novice writers felt in­timidated to ask dumb questions of the panel of editors. "What kind of topics are publishers buying these days? I want to write but not unless it's a topic that would sell." The editors from many large Christian publishers went down the line of topics they were interested in; some were looking for nonfiction, some for fiction, some for women's issues, some for youth and children. When it came to my turn, I suggested a different line of thinking. "Write your passion! If it's not something burning in you that God has placed there, chances are it will not touch the hearts of your read­ers. It may be able to make you some money, but the final product will not satisfy. Fulfilling God's will to write on the subject he fans into flame in your heart is the only thing that matters."

That incident happened twelve years ago, and I still have opportunities to share this on every editor's panel I sit on. One of the most important issues we face in our business of writing is our true heart motives. If our motive is to get rich (greed), see our name in lights (pride), be on the top of the best-seller list (selfish ambition), or to get even (anger), then God will not be glorified in our writing. We must cry out to God to purify our hearts and motives so that our only motive becomes doing God's will.

And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. (1 Chronicles 28:9)

You could spend hours learning business tips for a successful worldly writing career, but that would be a waste of time.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. (2 Corinthians 5:16)

Seek first his kingdom, and allow God to crucify your desires, agendas, plans, and goals. Rather than deciding what you want to write for God, how about waiting on him to lead and guide you in your writing?

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. (Psalm 130:5-6)

Andrew Murray, from his book Waiting on God, admonishes us to wait for his guidance and not simply rely on past experiences:

"The great danger in all such assemblies is that in our consciousness of having our Bible, in our past experience of God's leading, in our sound creed and our hon­est wish to do God's will, we trust in these and do not realize that with every step we need and may have a heavenly guidance. There may be elements of God's will, application of God's Word, experience of the close presence and leading of God, manifestations of the power of His Spirit, of which we know nothing as yet. God may be willing, no, God is willing to open up these to the souls who are intently set upon allowing Him to have His way entirely, and who are willing, in patience, to wait for Him to make it known." 1

As you resolve to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2), your writing will bring life to those who read it as it is directed by the Holy Spirit to meet the spiritual needs of your readers. And whether you become a best-selling author or simply a pen pal to someone in prison, your call to write will fulfill the purposes of God, and you will be able to say with Jesus:

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. (John 17:4)

1 Andrew Murray, Waiting on God (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1981, 1983) 68-69.