Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie

Fairness is more than pricing. It’s also about presence. Are we serving all customers, or just the loudest? Today, we’re in Proverbs 29 because it’s the 29th day of the month. Today we’re in Proverbs 29:14 CEV— “ Kings who are fair to the poor will rule a long time . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marketplac...

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”— Proverbs 28:26 We’ve all tried to solve things on our own. But today’s proverb reminds us: Pride is expensive. Humility pays. Learn to ask for directions—not just from people, but from God. Customer Success Code: “Wise leaders ask for directions. Foolish ones wait until they crash.” This is a public episode. If...

Leading people behind in a spreadsheet isn’t good because neglecting the flock always leads to poor performance. Today, we’re in Proverbs 27 because it’s the 27th day of the month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marketplaceproverbs.substack.com

We have only 26 letters, yet they can inspire someone to reach new heights or discourage them from trying. Consider: SAD and JOY each have three letters; FALL and RISE, four; CURSE and BLESS, five; IGNORE and LISTEN, six; ENEMIES and FRIENDS, seven; IMMATURE and MATURITY, eight; IGNORANCE and KNOWLEDGE, nine; NEGATIVITY and POSITIVITY, ten. Same alphabet, same number of letters, different messages...

Hope is never out of stock unless we stop looking for it. Today, we’re in Proverbs 23:18 because it’s the 23rd day of the month . “For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18—NKJV This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marketplaceproverbs.substack.com

A million dollars in revenue sounds great—until it doesn’t. Sometimes what looks like growth is just well-dressed bondage. Today, we’re in Proverbs 22:26–27 because it’s the 22nd day of the month. “ Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts. If you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.”—Proverbs 22:26-27 NIV This is a public episode. If...

Do you know someone who often has strong opinions about politicians? They may criticize decisions and express frustration about who’s running the government. Here’s something worth considering: some of those same people rarely, if ever, vote. As followers of Jesus Christ, do we have a responsibility to participate in elections? I believe we do. In fact, Scripture points us to four important respon...

When the market gets shaky, or someone makes a mistake, one thing can carry us forward: relationship equity. Today, we’re reading Proverbs 20:28, since it’s the 20th day of the month. “Love and truth form a good leader. Sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.”Proverbs 20:28: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...

Every decision brings two voices: hurry and wisdom. One urges us to rush; the other invites us to pause. Today, we’re also looking at Proverbs 19, since it’s the 19th day of the month. Whether you’re listening this morning, this afternoon, or at another time, we’re focusing on Proverbs 19:2 from the NIV. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acce...

In the corporate world, we track various key performance indicators (KPIs)—from hourly sales to EBITDA. A KPI is simply a measurement tool. Management teams determine what matters most and build systems to track progress. As the old saying goes, “ What gets measured gets managed. ” The speedometer and odometer on our car are key performance indicators (KPIs). Even the MPG gauge is a key performanc...

How often have you listened to someone who knew so much about their subject that you couldn’t understand a word they were saying? I’ve been on both sides of that conversation! Here’s something I’ve learned: Just because you’ve delivered the information doesn’t mean you’ve created understanding. Let’s talk about that. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscriber...

Have you squatted to rise, only to get cooked in the squat? Too much planning. Too much preparation. Not enough action. Here’s the secret: You can’t perfect what you haven’t practiced. Today, we’re talking about ITERATION—where progress comes from doing, learning, and doing it better. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes...

Proverbs 13:12 highlights a silent burden many faithful marketplace leaders carry: spiritual fatigue. This isn’t about rebellion or abandoning faith, but a gradual waning of hope. Leaders keep showing up, producing, and serving, yet beneath the surface, thriving turns into merely surviving. Hope deferred often manifests subtly, dressed up as discipline, responsibility, or professionalism, until th...

It can be discouraging to wonder whether our work is futile or we’re in the wrong workplace. Personal production professionals may spend years working 60-hour weeks to build a business, client list, reputation, and financial security—only to see it threatened by war, government breakdown, economic crisis, or illness. The thought can feel overwhelming. This is a public episode. If you would like to...

There’s a big difference between being bold and simply being loud. In the marketplace, arrogance can look a lot like confidence. Pressure can masquerade as leadership. And compromise can even look like smart business—especially when it pays. Proverbs 9 says Wisdom and Folly are both calling. The question is: Whose table are you sitting at? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss thi...

When does confidence become arrogance? And can we become so concerned about appearing humble that we shrink from what God equipped us to do? Maybe the answer isn’t thinking more highly—or more lowly—of ourselves. Maybe it’s learning to see ourselves from God’s perspective. Accept the assignment. Give away the glory. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers...

The most dangerous temptations rarely look evil—they look important. Today, we’re in Proverbs 7:1-5 because it’s the 7th day of the month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marketplaceproverbs.substack.com

I bet you have heard people say, jokingly- maybe not- well, don’t waste your time on riffraff. In business, that usually means don’t spend too much time on people who aren’t influential, wealthy, strategic, or able to move the revenue needle. In plain English, chase the big buck and ignore the nickels. But here’s a question for our episode today. One of the clearest warning signs of internal drift...

Not every kind of adultery involves romance—sometimes, it’s what we’ve replaced God and family with that tells the real story. Today, we’re in Proverbs 5:1-2 because it’s the 5th day of the month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marketplaceproverbs.substack.com

What if the fastest route to success isn’t always the wisest route? Sometimes getting there faster means missing what matters along the way. Proverbs 2 reminds us that wisdom doesn’t just help us reach our destination. It helps us choose the right road. Scripture “Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity – every good way. For wisdom will enter your heart and moral knowledge wi...

Before AI became the shiny new object in the marketplace, everybody seemed to be talking about something called Digital Transformation. Recruiters used it. Sales teams used it. Consultants built entire careers around it. These days, AI has taken center stage—but the promise hasn’t really changed. The promise is still transformation. But here’s a question for our coffee together today: Are we confu...

In sales, marketing, and leadership, it’s tempting to “add a little extra” to strengthen our message. But when it comes to God’s Word, adding, twisting, or trimming it to fit our agenda doesn’t strengthen it—it weakens us. Today, we're focusing on Proverbs 30:5-6 because it’s the 30th day of the month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...

In the marketplace, people often measure power by titles, budgets, or control. But in God’s Kingdom, true power looks very different. Today, we’re focusing on Proverbs 29:25 because it’s the 29th day of the month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marketplaceproverbs.substack.com

People are hungry for leadership. The real question is: when they look at you, do they see a boss—or a bold, Gospel-centered servant leader? Today, we’re focusing on Proverbs 28:1 because it’s the 28th day of the month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marketplaceproverbs.substack.com

Ever been tempted to chase a competitor who “bit” into your business? Before you run after them swinging a stick, let me tell you a story that might just save your energy—and your integrity. Today, we’re focusing on Proverbs 25:21-22 because it’s the 25th day of the month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mark...