In two primary ways, Proverbs speaks directly to the temptation to advertise oneself. First, it extols diligence rather than self-promotion as a pathway to leadership and recognition. We’re told, “The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor” (Prov. 12:24). God has designed the world in such a way that diligence in one’s tasks will likely lead to some measure of recognition: “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men” (Prov. 22:29).

Before seminary, I served nearly five years as a youth pastor. On a semi-regular basis I would receive mail—typically oversized postcards—from men my age offering their services to my youth group. These speakers would be willing, for a fee, to speak at our retreats and summer camps.

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but these flyers just didn’t seem like a fitting way for these men to inform others of their ministry. Such self-promotion seemed out of place for servants of a Master who often turned down opportunities for self-promotion for the sake of the mission (e.g., Matt. 9:30; 12:16; Mark 1:43–44; Luke 4:35).

Today, the venue for ministerial self-promotion isn’t a glossy postcard but a carefully curated Twitter account. But what about the idea of self-promotion itself? Is it ever wise or biblical?

Diligence vs. Platform-Building

In two primary ways, Proverbs speaks directly to the temptation to advertise oneself. First, it extols diligence rather than self-promotion as a pathway to leadership and recognition. We’re told, “The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor” (Prov. 12:24). God has designed the world in such a way that diligence in one’s tasks will likely lead to some measure of recognition: “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men” (Prov. 22:29).

A second way Proverbs deals with our tendency to self-promote is by discouraging the practice altogether: “Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, ‘Come up here,’ than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.”(Prov. 25:6–7).

Note the direct contrast: in Proverbs 12:14 and 22:29, there is a natural, unforced path to leadership and recognition. But in Proverbs 25:6–7, the person who thrusts himself into the place of honor is rebuffed, since he’s vulnerable to public disgrace.

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