Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie-A Proverb Per Day Keeps Stinking Thinking At Bay

“When they say, “Come on! Let's gang up and kill somebody, just for the fun of it! Don't follow anyone like that or do what they do. They are in a big hurry to commit some crime, perhaps even murder. But if you listen to me, you will be safe and secure without fear of disaster.”—Proverbs 1:11, 15-16, 33 CEV

Proverbs 1 warns us about people who run toward trouble, manipulation, and quick-hit gains. Their feet “run to evil”—meaning they rush into conflict, deception, and shortcuts. But wisdom calls us to something very different: To hold back our foot. To decline the invitation to strife. To refuse the path of haste and pressure. To choose the way of peace. Wisdom promises that if we listen, really listen, we will “dwell securely and be at ease.” That’s the posture of a Peacemaker.

MARKETPLACE APPLICATION

“Running to evil” doesn’t always look like crime. In the marketplace, it shows up as:

• Rushing to win at any cost. Cutting corners, exaggerating capabilities, forcing a deal through because we’re 2/3 through the quarter.

• Zero-sum thinking. Believing the only way to win is for the customer to lose.

• Reacting instead of responding. Sending the angry email, escalating tension, and matching someone else’s hostility.

That path destroys peace, our peace. We lose sleep, we live with dread. We wonder what’s going to blow up next. But the Peacemaker takes a different path:

Holding back the foot.

• We don’t join someone else’s drama.

• We don’t match a competitor’s shady tactics.

• We don’t let emotion dictate our response.

We slow down, we listen, we choose the next right step, not the fastest. And the reward? Jesus says it best:

“God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children!”—Matthew 5:9

A career and a life marked by security and peace. We sleep well because our integrity supports us. Our accounts are solid because our commitments are real.

How often have you sent an invitation only to receive the response: “I’ll pray about it,” followed by silence? No confirmation, no rejection—just ambiguity.

This episode is very personal. I recently asked someone I respect to join me on this podcast, and he replied, “That’s an interesting concept. I’ll pray about it.” That was over 45 days ago. During this silence, I wondered: Is this a gentle Christian way of saying no? And deeper still: does my work—my writing, my podcast—lack importance?

Today, I want to share some of my inner thoughts. Not seeking sympathy. No pity party here. But because I believe many of us face the same challenge: how to handle silence without letting it damage our sense of self.

Let me challenge your thinking on the definition of leadership. What if leadership isn’t about recognition, position, or even results? What if leadership is about something much quieter and much more powerful? Proverbs 28 points us toward influence that’s rooted in doing good, not being seen. And when I think about that, I think about Barnabas in the New Testament. A man who didn’t need the spotlight, but changed lives anyway. So here’s the question: Are you trying to be noticed, or are you committed to adding significance to others? Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less, INFLUENCE!

We say it all the time…“I’m just waiting on the right time.” “I’m waiting on the Lord.” And sometimes that’s true. But what if the delay isn’t about timing? What if it’s about preparation or lack thereof? I had a moment in my own life where that hit me hard. The opportunity wasn’t the issue. Readiness was. Proverbs 27:1 reminds us that we don’t control tomorrow. So here’s the real question: While you’re waiting, what are you actually doing to get ready?

Not every enemy comes at you head-on. Some show up with a handshake… a smile… and a compliment.

Proverbs 26 warns us—flattery can be more dangerous than criticism.Because it doesn’t confront you… It keeps you comfortable.

And in the marketplace, your greatest enemy isn’t always the competition…It’s the status quo. I’ve lived it.

Visiting the same customers… having the same conversations… feeling productive—Slowing becoming a tolerated professional visitor quietly drifting into complacency.

Today, we’re talking about the comfort zone trap…and how what feels safe… might actually be holding you back.

Have you ever been on the receiving end of being ghosted? No call. No response. Just… silence? Doesn’t feel great, does it? Proverbs 25 describes that kind of experience like a bad tooth—it lingers… it nags… it sticks with you.

But here’s the part that hit me…Sometimes, I’m the one doing the disappearing.

In business… in relationships… even spiritually.

What about you? Where have you replaced clarity with silence?

You Don’t Need a Title to Lead—But You Need This

You’ve likely heard the phrase, 'Leadership is influence.' However, my experience has shown that not all influence is equal. Some individuals exert pressure or push, some rely on their position, but true influence comes from inspiring genuine followership.

Proverbs 22 reminds us of this kind of life. While force might produce quick results, it doesn’t create sustainable impact.

So, here’s the key question: Are you leading because people are compelled to follow, or because they genuinely trust you?

Some customers seem impossible to please. What if the reason for their constant nagging isn’t about the product… but about the relationship level? Today, we’re in Proverbs 21:9— because it’s the 21st day of the month.

There’s a question most people don’t ask. Why are you really doing what you’re doing? Not the surface answer, the real one. In the marketplace, it’s easy to say the right things, do the right things… and still carry the wrong motive.

Proverbs 20 talks about dishonest scales—looking fair on the outside… but not on the inside.

So here’s the question: Is there alignment between what you say and why you’re saying it?

If you want to grow your business, your impact, and your legacy… the real question isn’t, “What do I know?” but “Who am I listening to?” Today, we’re in Proverbs 19:20— because it’s the 19th day of the month.