— Will you manipulate desires or reveal truth?
📖 Summary
Worldly marketing thrives on greed and scarcity.
But biblical marketing seeks to serve others truthfully,
not to exploit their desires.
Christians can market products without manipulating souls.
1️⃣ Introduction | “If you don’t trigger desire, you won’t sell.”
Modern marketing says: “Find the pain. Press it. Sell the cure.”
It studies human craving and converts it into consumption.
But Scripture teaches:
The purpose of work is not profit, but love.
The goal of communication is not persuasion, but truth.
The question is not “Does it sell?”
but “Does it serve?”
2️⃣ Biblical Foundation | Communicating Truth, Not Exploiting Desire
📘 Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
“You cannot serve God and money.”
📘 Proverbs 11:1 (ESV)
“A false balance is an abomination to the LORD.”
📘 Philippians 2:4 (ESV)
“Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
📘 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
→ Marketing can glorify God when it prioritizes truth and human dignity over gain.
3️⃣ Theological Insight | Marketing Redeemed by Truth
📜 John MacArthur — The Power of Integrity
“Persuasion rooted in deception is manipulation, not ministry.”
📜 R.C. Sproul — Reformation Study Bible (Proverbs 11 Commentary)
“Even slight distortion of truth destroys integrity.”
📜 John Piper — Desiring God
“Marketing can become ministry when its aim is to make God look valuable, not the product.”
📜 Tim Keller — Every Good Endeavor
“Marketing should help people see genuine good, not invent artificial need.”
📜 John Calvin — Institutes (III.10.6)
“Commerce is holy when truth guides it, and love is its motive.”
→ Biblical marketing does not fabricate desire—it reveals genuine value.
It treats customers not as targets, but as souls.
4️⃣ Misconceptions vs Biblical Truth
| Misconception | Cause | Biblical Truth |
|---|---|---|
| “Marketing must stimulate greed.” | Secular economics | True marketing serves people, not profit (Phil 2:4) |
| “Exaggeration is normal.” | Pragmatism | A false balance is an abomination (Prov 11:1) |
| “Emotional manipulation works best.” | Consumer psychology | Truth should move, not manipulate (Eph 4:25) |
| “As long as the result helps ministry, the method is fine.” | Utilitarianism | Holy ends never justify unholy means (Matt 6:24) |
5️⃣ Application | Four Biblical Marketing Principles
1️⃣ Speak truth only.
Integrity outlives sales campaigns.
2️⃣ Honor people as image-bearers, not data points.
Serve customers as neighbors, not prospects.
3️⃣ Promote genuine value.
Sell only what truly benefits human flourishing.
4️⃣ Glorify God in every message.
Ask: “Would this make God look honest, generous, and good?”
6️⃣ Conclusion | Marketing Can Be Ministry When It’s Honest
Christians are not called to stimulate greed,
but to reveal grace through truth.
When marketing aligns with love and integrity,
it becomes a witness—not a trap.
“Marketing for God’s glory doesn’t exploit—it enlightens.” — Revito
Faith. Work. Renewal. — Revito
📧 revito247@gmail.com
🌐 www.revito.co.kr
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#ChristianMarketing #FaithAtWork #TruthOverProfit #Integrity #GospelEthics #MarketingAndFaith #JohnMacArthur #RCSproul #JohnPiper #TimKeller #JohnCalvin #FaithWorkRenewal
