We have been considering how the kingdom economy is based on love and examining how the love defined in I Corinthians13 would affect our trade in a kingdom economy. Last week we discussed how love “does not brag” (see I Corinthians 13:4), and how that might affect our advertising or marketing. Next, we are told that love “is not arrogant” (see I Corinthians 13:4). Could we possibly have the best products or be the best at something without becoming arrogant? True greatness with true humility is one of the most compelling and attractive characteristics of all. Greatness with arrogance belittles the greatness and is one of the most repelling characteristics.
Consider this with professional athletes—regardless of how talented athletes can be, if they are boastful and arrogant, the public will love to watch them fail, and the media will wear them out when they do. If they are humble and not boastful, compassion will be seen in the media coverage when they have failures. Bravado can get attention, but it is not the kind we should want.
The pop culture of the last couple of decades has promoted a spirit of arrogance. Athletes used to walk humbly off the field after performing a great feat, but today they beat their chest, do flips, or just about anything to draw attention to themselves. Most of the time this actually looks quite silly and makes them appear as if they had never done anything significant before. They may be trained to do this because of the level of attention they can receive, which converts directly to the amount of money they can receive from endorsements. However, this reveals just how permeated the whole system is with a spirit that is contrary to the Spirit of the King.
How did Jesus promote His ministry? The word about His works spread everywhere without Him having to say anything. At times, He would actually tell people not to tell what was done for them, but to just give thanks to the Father. However, people could not restrain themselves from talking about the great things He had done or taught. With no advertising budget, His first-century followers turned the world upside down with His message and impacted the world far more than any message ever had before or ever would again.
We may think that Jesus had the Holy Spirit promoting His ministry, but so does everyone who is doing His work. Think about John the Baptist. As has been said, he did not dress for power. Everyone knew that if you wanted to have religious influence, you had to go to Jerusalem. However, he started his ministry in the worst place possible, which was actually the lowest place on earth, by the Jordan River. He did not even have an advertising campaign. All John had was the anointing, but he did not have to go to Jerusalem. Jerusalem and all of Judea would come to him because of the anointing.
As stated, advertising can have its place by getting the word out about a product or service we have. But if we have to do too much advertising to build our business, church, or ministry, it is an indication that we do not actually have value in what we are promoting, or in the case of a church or ministry, we are lacking the anointing. As Leonard Ravenhill used to tell us, “You don’t have to advertise a fire!”