1680) Since I have worked at my second career, writing, I have read tons of newsletters focusing on this subject. I have incorporated several things I learned there. For example, I read if you are writing something daily, number them, so your readers know there are posts they can look back to or catch up on if they’ve just subscribed. I have also read that in pricing; you need to give your books a fair-market price. Free is often not the way to go. Why? Because psychologically, if it costs a reader nothing, they will not value it the same. Whether it’s always the case, I don’t know, but it makes sense that if it costs more, then it must be more valuable.

2 Samuel 24:24 illustrates this issue of cost and value. In this chapter, David commands a census that was, in some way, wrong. God sends his punishment, and David actively seeks to make things right by offering a sacrifice.

When David tries to buy the area in which to sacrifice, the owner of the land offers it to him for free. David does not agree to this stating if it doesn’t cost him something, it’s not a sacrifice.

It’s easy to give or get something if it doesn’t cost you much, but the value, perceived or otherwise, will not be as great.

I don’t think gifts that cost us little are bad, but this cost places a value (or not) on the gift. The gifts involving sacrifice are often valued more.