A Biblical Approach to Marketing Series: Intro | Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five

Verses:
Amos 8:4-7 “Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.”

Insights for Meditation:
God abhors extortion.

Some of God’s people were taking advantage of the poor and needy by overcharging them or misrepresenting the product.

The people were so obsessed with selling that it became more important to them than honoring God during the Sabbath and other holy days. Even though they kept the “letter of the law” by not working on the Sabbath, their minds were still consumed with their business dealings.

The people would have to answer to God for their deceitful dealings. God was fully aware of what they were doing and would not forget. There would be serious consequences.

Principles for Application:
Do not employ deceptive strategies when designing and marking the product. Be completely upfront and honest so that people know exactly what they are buying. Take this into consideration when determining a title and subtitle.

Maintain a proper focus. The end goal should always be to honor and glorify God, not just to sell products. Evaluate methods and sales opportunities to determine if they honor God.

Observe a Sabbath day of rest. Don’t engage in business-related planning or activities.

Questions for Consideration:
What is an appropriate title (and subtitle, if necessary) that will “hook” the potential buyer while also accurately reflecting the nature of the book?

What is the nature of my book?

What are examples of deceptive marketing strategies that I should avoid?

What are examples of honest marketing strategies that I should emulate?

What specific ways can I honor God with the marketing strategies I employ?

Steps for Implementation:
□ Brainstorm a list of title and subtitle possibilities. Pray over them and get input from others on which one is most appropriate and effective.
□ Compile a description of my book, including: mood, writing style, overall objective, etc.
□ Think of two ways that I can expressly honor God with my marketing strategies.