Dangerous Draws

I'm a somewhat of a beginner to the game-
I know that, generally, you're supposed to bet if you believe you have the best hand, or if you have a decent hand thats vulnerable (in order to protect it)

Hands that aren't made, draws, usually involve calculating pot odds to hit the flush or the straight to see if it would be wise to call a bet.

My question is, is it profitable by-the-numbers to initiate a bet with a draw?

Ex: You have four to the nut-flush. BB is $1 and 4 players have limped (you, plus 3 others) for a $4 pot. You, the SB, are up.

*just a note, I know that reads and the style of the table and other factors come into play, also that checking could signal weakness, but please see question... Thanks

Generally against that many players I usually don't want to build the pot up with just a draw, maybe against 1 max 2.

I don't think this play is worth it in general considering the times you get raised out. Against half decent players, they'll either have a hand and raise you so you have bad odds to call, or develop a read on your play and raise you regardless of their cards. Against these players, I think betting like you actually have a hand is better so you gain fold equity and disguise your draw. You will get min-raised many times by someone (stupidly) slow playing, and get odds to call and be paid off huge if you do hit. Or else you get people to fold more often since they put you on a made hand or don't feel it's worth it to test you with a marginal hand.

I could see a tiny bet being profitable in building a pot for a smaller flush or a str8 or maybe a badly played set to pay off your flush for more, or if you somehow know someone calls a small bet that would otherwise bet too much if you check. In other words, it might make more EV vs. call stations, but IMO it's generally not worth it.