Understanding the Ethics
Many people today sell Christian products for profit, including T-shirts, mugs, jewelry, books, and home decor. These products all seem to be aimed at helping people express their faith. But some people wonder: is it right to profit from something rooted in faith? Can a business selling Christian products stay true to its values while still making money?
Let’s look at the ethics and how to sell Christian products for profit, from the importance of motives and fair pricing to how businesses can balance faith and profit.
1. Why Do You Sell Christian Products for Profit?
The first question any Christian business owner should ask is, “Why do I want to sell Christian products for profit?” Motives matter. Are you passionate about sharing your faith, or are you mainly focused on profit? Many people who create Christian products genuinely want to spread a positive message or encourage others in their faith.
Making a profit isn’t wrong – every business needs to be sustainable. But if your main goal is to inspire others and share God’s love, this comes across as more genuine and builds trust with your customers. Think of profit as a tool to keep your business running and growing, while your core purpose stays focused on honoring God.
2. Profit Versus Greed: Know the Difference
In any business, profit is necessary, but there’s a fine line between earning a fair profit and letting greed take over. There’s a reason 1 Timothy 6:10 says,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
It’s not about money being bad – it’s about how prioritizing and loving money over everything else can cause problems.
For Christian businesses, keeping faith front and center is key. This doesn’t mean you can’t set fair prices and still sell Christian products for a profit. It just means staying mindful that money shouldn’t become the main focus. One way to keep this balance is to consider donating a portion of your profits to charity, missions, or community projects. It helps keep your business focused on serving others rather than just increasing profits.
As a side note, I do a good many crafts on a donation basis for our church; for example, I made photo props to use at different events, and journal covers and laminated bookmarks for our Women’s Retreat. I usually make a few hundred small giveaways to hand out to our parishioners on Mother’s and Father’s Day or I’ll craft something seasonal to set out at the main Welcome Center. I also put together raffle baskets with a couple of t-shirts and matching mugs and journals for our fundraising events.
3. Quality Matters: Selling Products That Reflect Your Values
If you want to sell Christian products for a profit, make sure they’re high-quality and thoughtfully made. Low-quality or cheaply made items can come across as insincere or even disrespectful. People buying Christian products want something that’s meaningful and crafted with care, not something that feels mass-produced or rushed.
TeePublic provides very high quality for the price! Before we invested in our own heatpress and sublimation printer, I’d pay the extra and buy my own t-shirts from my online price, so I got to inspect the quality.
This doesn’t mean your products have to be expensive. It just means putting thought into the design, materials, and overall quality. Quality products show customers that your business respects both their faith and their purchase. A well-made item can make a stronger impact and help build trust with your customers.
When I make t-shirts, mugs or tote bags myself, I use Jiffy.com to source my t-shirt blanks. Their prices are very reasonable and they offer a variety of brands. We primarily use a Gildan brand, which is high quality and feels good, too!
4. Fair and Transparent Pricing When You Sell Christian Products for Profit
Pricing Christian products fairly is another ethical consideration. Overpricing faith-based items can feel like you’re taking advantage of people’s beliefs. To avoid this, make sure your prices cover costs like materials, production, and labor but aren’t overly marked up.
When customers see reasonable prices, they feel more comfortable buying from you. Transparency is also important – if you’re clear about why a product costs what it does, customers will appreciate your honesty. Fair pricing shows that you’re in business to share a message and serve customers, not just to make a quick profit.
I set my t-shirt and mug prices at a discount for our church regulars. I set them at whatever the “sale price” is in my TeePublic (TP) shop. Then since I see the people at church, I obviously don’t charge shipping. I still make a nice profit since none of it goes to TP while keeping the prices lower and reasonable with “free shipping” for the church.
5. Put the Message Above Self-Promotion
With social media, it’s easy to focus on promoting yourself or your brand, but to sell Christian products for a profit, the message must come first. People are drawn to businesses that share a meaningful message, especially if that message reflects faith and encourages a positive impact.
Try to make your marketing about the values and faith behind your products rather than just your business. This doesn’t mean downplaying your brand; it’s about keeping the focus on the message you’re promoting. Being genuine can help your business stand out and make a more authentic connection with your audience.
When I create a new design, I will usually write a blog post around that design to describe the meaning behind the graphic. I believe that makes it helpful for potential and returning customers. Also, I try not to just recreate what I’ve seen others selling, but change it up a little so it’s more unique to my brand.
6. Sell Christian Products for a Profit with Honesty and Accountability
As with any business, integrity is crucial when selling Christian products. Honesty, transparency, and accountability should be part of every interaction with your customers. Deliver what you promise, and if something goes wrong, take responsibility and make it right.
If a customer has a complaint, handle it with care. By treating customers with respect and valuing their feedback, you show that your business values people and relationships more than profit. Building a reputation for honesty and integrity strengthens your business and builds trust with your audience.
I’ll fix any mistake for free! Most times, I’ll let the customer keep the “wrong” item anyway. It’s not like I can reuse the shirt, mug, or tote bag, but it’ something my customers can still use.
7. Giving Back: Supporting a Greater Cause
One way to keep faith at the center of your business is by giving back. Consider setting aside a part of your profits for charitable causes, missions, or community work. This shows that your business isn’t just about making money; it’s about making a positive difference.
Giving back doesn’t have to be a huge financial commitment. It could be donating a small percentage of sales, sponsoring a local event, or supporting a mission trip. Giving back adds meaning to your work and helps customers see that your business genuinely cares about making a positive impact.
I did this last year to help with our youth group’s Mission Trip. 50% of all profits went toward the Missions Trip expenses, especially for those who wanted to go on the trip but didn’t have the funds to go.
Final Thoughts: Balancing Faith and Profit
Running a business selling Christian products can be both ethical and profitable. By focusing on quality, fair pricing, honesty, and giving back, you can create a business that honors your beliefs and builds trust with your customers.
Selling Christian products for profit isn’t inherently wrong; it’s about how you approach it. By keeping faith, integrity, and people at the heart of your business, you can run a faith-based business that’s both meaningful and successful.
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