Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie

At first, the sound was sweet — until the distortion started. That’s how deception works. Proverbs 5 isn’t just about adultery; it’s about seduction by counterfeit clarity. The enemy never sells obvious lies. He tweaks truth slightly off frequency — enough to please the ear but pollute the message. In the marketplace, we hear it through promises of shortcuts, inflated numbers, or clever spin. It’s...

Allow me to ask you something. Have you ever met someone who seemed energized by cutting corners, almost driven to push the line? Well, proverbs: 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 our reputation. They rob our peace. And there are people who can't sleep unless they've stirred up trouble. So today, which...

“Today’s conversation takes us straight to the heart of Proverbs 3:9–10, a passage that teaches us to honor the Lord with our first fruits —the very best of what He’s entrusted to us. Now, most people hear that and think about money or tithing. But I’ve learned over the years that God isn’t after our stuff… He’s after our stance . When we give God our first and our best, we’re not ‘giving to get.’...

In today’s episode, I reference, with permission, Marty Stubblefield’s devotional on WORK from his Lazy Dog Newsletter. Marty writes: Scripture tells us the first person recorded as “f illed with the Spirit ” wasn’t a pastor, but a craftsman, a worker. An artist trusted to build something well. Marty quotes Jesus: “We must do the work of Him who sent me, as long as it is day.”—John 9:4 In the New...

“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....

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 Chr...

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 spotli...

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...

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...

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 clar...

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...

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. 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

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 y...

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. 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

Let’s talk about conflict for a second… Most people think conflict comes from big moments. It doesn’t. It usually starts with something small—a comment, a tone, a quick reaction, or even something said behind the scenes. Proverbs 18 says our words don’t just reflect conflict, they create it. And if we’re frank, we’ve all been on both sides of that. So here’s the question: Are your words building c...

You’ve probably heard it before… “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”—Jim Rohn But what if it’s bigger than that? Proverbs 15 reminds us that plans succeed with many advisers. But here’s the catch: not all voices are equal. And some are louder than others. Family. Friends. Workplace. Faith. Media. They’re all speaking every day. So here’s the real question: Are yo...

Take a look around the marketplace today. Why does it feel like people are becoming… numbers? Transactions. Metrics. Outcomes. Somewhere along the way, we stopped seeing people and started seeing opportunities even worse we view customers as an ATM (remember the old Cash Cow concept) Proverbs 14 makes it clear—how we treat people isn’t just business, it’s spiritual. I remember reading Peter Drucke...

Let’s be transparent for a minute. Do you keep showing up, doing the work, saying the right things, but inside, something just feels off? Not broken. Not quitting. Just… not fully alive. Proverbs 13 says hope deferred makes the heart sick. And that doesn’t happen overnight. It’s subtle. Quiet. Gradual. I’ve seen it in the marketplace… and I’ve seen it in the guy in the mirror. So here’s the questi...

This episode is a little different… It’s more of a “by the way” conversation. I’m just going to bear my soul for a few minutes…hoping maybe something I’m walking throughmight bless you in something you’re walking through. Have you ever asked yourself… What am I doing? Why am I doing it? And maybe even wondered… Is this really from God… or is this just something I want to be true? This is a public...

I am being transparent with you; humility isn’t one of my strongest attributes. And if we’re being real, it’s probably a struggle for more of us than we’d like to admit. Proverbs 11:2 draws a clear line—Pride leads one way… humility leads another. Today, my friend Ron Price joins me, and we don’t come to you as experts on humility. We come as students. Because humility isn’t something we achieve o...

How often have you said “yes” to what seemed like a great opportunity, only to realize later it might not have been the best choice? I have. And I can tell you those decisions usually didn’t come from wisdom. They came from pressure or anxiety. Proverbs 8 reminds us that wisdom isn’t automatic. It’s something we pursue and something we listen for. Because not every open door is meant for you to wa...

Not every bad decision looks bad at the beginning. In fact, most of them sound reasonable, they feel justified, and they usually come wrapped in opportunity. Proverbs 7 doesn’t warn us about obvious failure. It warns us about subtle seduction. “Stick close to my instruction, my son, and follow all my advice. If you do what I say you will live well. Guard your life with my revelation-truth, for my...

Do you need someone to check on you to help you perform at your best? Or have you figured out how to show up prepared even when no one is watching? Proverbs 6 directs us to one of the smallest teachers in the Bible—the ant. “When you’re feeling lazy, come and learn a lesson from this tale of the tiny ant. Yes, all you lazybones, come learn from the example of the ant and enter into wisdom. The ant...

Proverbs 5 — Commitment Not everything that sounds good… is good. In fact, some of the most dangerous decisions we make don’t feel wrong in the moment. They feel justified, deserved, and even feel productive. Proverbs 5 talks about “honey” that turns bitter. “The words of an immoral woman may be as sweet as honey and as smooth as olive oil. But all that you really get from being with her is bitter...

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to drift off course in the marketplace? Proverbs 4 says, “Let your eyes look straight ahead… give careful thought to the path for your feet.” That’s leadership wisdom. Because success isn’t just about working harder — it’s about staying focused on the right direction. Distractions, shortcuts, and noise will always try to pull you left or right. But wise leaders...