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

The wisest people aren’t the smartest in the room—they’re the most attentive to God. Today, we’re in Proverbs 9:1-6  because it’s the 9th day of the month.

If ants can prepare for the future without being told, what excuse do we have? Today, we’re in Proverbs 6:6-11

Not every voice deserves airtime. Some messages sound smooth but distort the truth underneath. Can you tell the difference between clarity and counterfeit?”  Today, we’re in Proverbs 5:3

Have you ever met someone who seems energized by cutting corners… almost driven to push the line?

Proverbs 4:14-16 says, “Don’t even step onto that path. Avoid it. Turn away. Pass on.”

That’s not subtle. Because some roads in business don’t just damage your reputation — they rob your peace. There are people who can’t sleep unless they’ve stirred up trouble.

So today, which path are you walking?

Trust the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding.

Our special guest Ken Fuente, a 40 year friend shares how he applies Proverbs 3:4-5 in his every day ordinary walking around life in and outside the marketplace

“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”Proverbs 2:6—NIV

Every GPS system relies on a source.

Without satellite signals—and location services enabled—your map app is just a blank screen. It might look ready, but without a connection, it’s going nowhere.

The same principle applies in the marketplace.

We can have credentials, connections, and years of experience. But without staying connected to The Source, our wisdom will eventually fail us.

Proverbs 2:6 makes it clear:

True wisdom doesn’t originate from boardrooms, spreadsheets, or MBA programs. It comes from the mouth of the Lord—through Scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and sometimes through the wise counsel of others He places in our lives.

Sometimes, the most important call you make is the one you weren’t planning.

Proverbs 27 reminds us to “know the condition of your flock,” and in this episode, I share how acting on the Holy Spirit’s promptings—whether through a call, a handwritten note, or a prayer—can transform relationships from transactional to truly celebrated.

“Know well the condition of your flock, and pay attention to your herds, for wealth is not forever; not even a crown lasts for all time. When hay is removed and new growth appears, and the grain from the hills is gathered in, lambs will provide your clothing, and goats, the price of a field; there will be enough goat’s milk for your food, food for your household, and nourishment for your female servants.” — Proverbs 27:23–27 CSB

This passage isn’t just about farming, it’s about stewardship. Just like flocks and herds need daily care, relationships require consistent attention. Neglect weakens them. Nurturing strengthens them.

In sales, leadership, and the marketplace, we often think our biggest competition is the company down the street. But for many of us, the real enemy is the status quo—and its parent, the comfort zone monster.

When Flattery Hides Danger

“Your enemy shakes hands and greets you like an old friend, all the while conniving against you. When he speaks warmly to you, don’t believe him for a minute; he’s just waiting for the chance to rip you off.” — Proverbs 26:24–26 MSG

In this episode, I reveal how the comfort zone masquerades as progress, why it’s the status quo’s favorite disguise, and how breaking free leads to real growth.”

The comfort zone feels safe, but it’s quietly stealing your growth.

Proverbs 26 warns about the danger of flattering words, and in business, those words often come from the status quo itself. In this episode, I share how the comfort zone monster kept me visiting the same customers, chasing transactions instead of building relationships, and how breaking that cycle leads to deeper partnerships and greater influence in the marketplace.

I used to chase the spotlight. Awards, applause, and recognition fueled me, but they also drained me. Proverbs 25:6-7 flipped my perspective on leadership and success, showing me that the most valuable KPI isn’t on a spreadsheet. In this episode, I share the story of how I moved from ego-driven (Edging God Out) striving to quiet strength and why my goal now is to finish every season of life saying, “It’s By God’s Grace.”

It’s easy to chase what shines and miss what matters.

Proverbs 24:27 reminds us to plant fields before building barns—to put the work of serving others ahead of building our own comfort. In this episode, I share why the sequence matters, how “shiny objects” can derail our mission, and how choosing significance over success changes everything in the marketplace.