Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie

Have you ever struggled with discipline? I mean really struggle… not just talk about it—but live in that tension every day? That’s what makes today’s conversation so real. My friend Ron Price—someone I’ve known and respected for years—openly shares that discipline doesn’t come easy for him. And yet… he’s learned something powerful from Proverbs 1: That wisdom isn’t about having it all together—It’...

In sales, marketing, and leadership, it’s tempting to “add a little extra” to make our message stronger. But when it comes to God’s Word, adding, twisting, or trimming it to fit our agenda doesn’t strengthen it—it weakens us. “ Everything God says is true— and it’s a shield for all who come to him for safety. Don’t change what God has said! He will correct you and show that you are a liar.” – Prov...

Have you ever felt the pull… to be “in the room”? That inner circle… the decision-makers… the people with influence. There is s a warning in Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” ESV The fear of missing out… can become a trap. Because when we start chasing approval…we can slowly trade away our integrity… one small decision at a time. I’ve been ther...

Influence isn’t about being constantly in the spotlight, but about genuinely uplifting others. When we lead good people down the wrong path, it often leads to challenges, but doing good consistently brings its own rewards. Proverbs 28:10 reminds us that we can go astray, yet integrity promises lasting fulfillment. In today’s busy marketplace, many seek attention, approval, or the next big thing. B...

What if, when we think about building our reputation, we are actually setting ourselves up for a fall? Proverbs 27:1-21 gives us a clear warning. Relationships are redeemed when relationships are esteemed over personal pride. Pride leads to disgrace, but humility, putting others first, leads to wisdom. In today’s social media-centric marketplace, it’s easy to promote ourselves, protect our image,...

“Don’t ever spitefully say, I’ll get even with him! I’ll do to him what he did to me!” Proverbs 24:29 (TPT ) In our personal lives and in the marketplace, it’s easy to justify getting even when we’ve been wronged, especially when a competitor moves into our space, undercuts our pricing, or makes bold promises that may be impossible to fulfill. Their actions had a potentially negative influence, pr...

What makes a father’s heart swell… to the point of tears? It’s not the awards. It’s not the paycheck. It’s not the applause. It’s watching his child choose the right path when no one else is watching. Today’s Proverb paints a powerful picture—“ When a father observes his child living in godliness, he is ecstatic with joy—nothing makes him prouder! So may your father’s heart burst with joy and your...

Have you ever noticed… the harder you push a deal, a decision, or even a person, the more resistance you get? I’ve learned this the hard way over 60 years in the marketplace. Force might get movement… but it rarely gets commitment. Influence, on the other hand, that’s a different game. It’s quieter. It takes longer. But it builds something pressure never can… trust. Today’s Proverb 22:24—and a sim...

Let me ask you a simple question… What matters more—getting the result… or doing what’s right? Because in the marketplace, those two don’t always line up. I’ve seen people hit their numbers—and lose their credibility. And I’ve seen others choose integrity—and build something that lasts. Today’s Proverb 21:3 challenges us to rethink success. Not as what we achieve…but how we achieve it. This is a p...

Remember when you turned down a deal that seemed good on the surface but didn’t feel right? Over the years, I’ve realized that customers might not always grasp your strategy, but they can sense your true motives. In today’s market, it’s common to say the right things with a hidden agenda. However, trust isn’t solely based on words—it’s rooted in your underlying intentions. This Proverb today remin...

“It’s stupid to try to get something for nothing, or run up huge bills on get-rich-quick schemes.” Proverbs 17:18 (MSG) Proverbs 17 warns about judgment, restraint, and the costs of foolish choices. The verse highlights a recurring temptation: seeking quick results by bypassing wisdom and effort. In chaotic cultures, shortcuts seem like opportunities, confident, efficient, and innovative. Yet wisd...

Some relationships in life… You don’t rush. You build them… over time. Today’s episode is special to me. I’m joined by my good friend C.J. Lewis , North America Sales Manager for SSL—Solid State Logic—one of the most respected names in professional audio. If you’ve ever stepped into a world-class recording studio… or heard a live mix that just felt right… There’s a good chance SSL was behind it. B...

God rightly expects leaders to skillfully manage conflicts within their organizations. So, how can we do this most effectively? A great starting point is Proverbs 15:1. While we often quote this verse, we don't always put it into practice. Sometimes, it seems only leaders feel free to express their anger, and eventually, this unhealthy environment ends up catching up with everyone. Today, Ron Pric...

Compassion "Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” Proverbs 14:31 ESV The Insight In 2000, I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Peter Drucker at a NAMM Leadership event. In his book Landmarks of Tomorrow , Drucker offers a profound observation about contemporary culture. He notes that in an age of chaos and "terror," many people develop a "ha...

Pride Blinds. Humility Builds. Pride can make us deaf. Deaf to wise counsel. Deaf to warning signs. Deaf to the very people we’re called to serve. Humility, on the other hand, opens our ears, clears our vision, and builds bridges that pride would have burned. Today, our focus is Proverbs 13:10 because it’s the 13th day of the month. Today, I am reading from chapter 13 of Marketplace Proverbs Vol 2...

Have you ever bought something… not because you needed it—but because you wanted it to say something about you? I’ve been there. There was a season in my life when I measured success by what I drove, what I wore, and how I looked to others. From the outside, it looked like I had made it. But behind the scenes? I was one car payment away from stress… one lunch invitation away from anxiety. In today...

Today is the 9th day of the month. Proverbs 9-The Spiral of Progress: It Just Looks Like a Loop. Today, I am reading from chapter 9 of Marketplace Proverbs Vol. 3: Ego, Humility, and the KPI that Matters the Most. Written by yours truly, Today, we discuss The Spiral of Progress Proverbs 9:9 “ Instruct the wise, and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous, and they will add to their learning....

—God isn’t distant—He’s been right there. The question is: have we been listening? Today, we’re in Proverbs 8:32-36 because it’s the 8th day of the month. God’s instructions aren’t complicated. They’re clear: Listen. Obey. Seek wisdom daily. And in return? Blessing. Favor. Life. I used to think God was distant—disconnected from the everyday reality of business and life. I believed in Him, I knew I...

Remember that time you closed the big transaction—and something didn’t sit right afterward? Not because it failed, but because deep down you knew the customer wasn’t truly served. You chased personal success rather than adding significance to the customer. Proverbs 7 warns us about seduction—not just in relationships, but in decisions. Today, we’ll talk about how chasing the deal at any cost can q...

Who’s in your circle right now… and do they bring clarity—or confusion? Proverbs 6 doesn’t sugarcoat it. It talks about people who say one thing… and mean another. Smiling in front of you… while crossing their fingers behind their back. In the marketplace, that’s dangerous. Because success isn’t built on the number of relationships—it’s built on the right relationships. Today, we’re talking about...

Have you ever stood in front of something that looked final…and later realized—it wasn’t the end at all? Sometimes… we misread the moment. And that’s exactly what Good Friday reminds us. I share a powerful message by S. M. Lockridge… “It’s Friday… but Sunday’s coming.” That space between Friday and Sunday… That’s where a lot of us live. “ Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtak...

Today I am reading from chapter 2 from Marketplace Proverbs Vol 2, Micro to Macro: The Ripple Effect of Influence. By myself and co-author Jon Kluiter. “ Follow the example of good people and live an honest life. If you are honest and innocent, you will keep your land; if you do wrong and can never be trusted, you will be rooted out.”— Proverbs 2:20-22 MSG Jim Rohn, a renowned speaker and trainer,...

Have you ever reacted too quickly… and paid for it later? Proverbs 1 gives us a powerful leadership principle for today’s chaotic culture: “Hold back your foot.” In a world that rewards speed, pressure, and quick wins… wisdom calls us to something different: * Slow down * Listen first * Choose peace over pressure Because “running to evil” in today’s marketplace doesn’t look like crime… It looks li...

Today, my friend Ron Price says there are no Proverbs 31 Women from the mindset of our current culture. Listen in as Ron explains himself. 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

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, our focus is 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 to b...