Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie

Proverbs 16-Motives Matter “We may think we know what is right, but the Lord is the judge of our motives.”--Proverbs 16:2 CEV The marketplace often values results, such as numbers on spreadsheets, growth charts, and quarterly achievements, as indicators of success. However, in God’s economy, the measuring stick is different: He considers our motives before our actions. We might work skillfully, sp...

Are you a light bulb looking for a socket? In a chaotic culture, we’re desperate to plug into something—anything—that gives us meaning. But if you’re plugged into the wrong 'voices,' you aren’t shining; you’re short-circuiting. Today, we’re talking about the five voices shaping your destiny and how to curate the 'art gallery' of your mind." Grab that mug and take a seat. It’s the 15th of the month...

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) Proverbs 14:15 warns that our messages or marketing presentations may seem wise or harmless but can still lead to disappointment or harm. I call this ‘perfuming the pig’. We must be careful not to compromise our Biblical principles of conducting business in a manner greater than expected in return, ju...

“Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools.”                                                            Proverbs 13:20 CEV Every GPS requires calibration; it can’t guide accurately unless it’s aligned with the correct signal. Relationships work the same way. Walk with the wise, and our route stays true. Walk with the wrong crowd, and the noise drowns out God’s si...

Proverbs 12-Faithful in the Small Things “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”--Proverbs 12-11 I doubt God defines success in the same terms we use to measure it in the world. I believe God values faithfulness over celebrity status and prefers humility to power. Faithfulness and humility are essential components in our inner GPS or guidan...

“Everyone ignorant or foolish is invited… give up your foolishness and let understanding guide your steps.”—📖 Proverbs 9:1–6 Wisdom isn’t reserved for the elite—it’s a feast prepared for anyone hungry enough to ask. In today’s episode, we explore the difference between textbook decisions and Spirit-led wisdom. I share how God has recalibrated my leadership over the years—from cold, calculated mov...

“ Choose my instruction over silver, knowledge over the finest gold.” Proverbs 8:10-11 CEB Proverbs 8 is written from the perspective of experience looking back, rather than from a young man’s anticipation. This view reflects my own approach to writing, coaching, and podcast hosting. Now in my 78th year of life and my 60th year in the marketplace, I reflect on a journey filled with missteps that I...

“Keep my commands and live, and guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.” Proverbs 7:2, CSB If you’ve ever missed an exit on the highway, you probably remember that brief wave of panic and that sudden jolt you feel when your GPS screen freezes for a moment before flickering with the word “Recalculating.” You glance around, a bit uncertain about which way to head, wishing you had paid closer at...

“A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth… who plots evil with deceit in his heart—he always stirs up conflict.” Proverbs 6:12,14 (NIV) Distortion can significantly compromise the message. Even the most reliable system struggles to communicate effectively when distortion or interference enters the signal path. Proverbs 6 reminds us that deceitful speech or distorted integr...

Listen in to hear my definition of marketplace leadership using Proverbs 5:12-14 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 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....

Our highways and main thoroughfares are populated with digital billboards. The beauty of digital billboards is that advertisers can change their message via an online app—no more buying a static billboard for an extended length of time. Let’s take that same concept to ourselves. All of us wear a sign. Some signs show stress, fatigue, fear, and anger. Some show happiness and peace. We can choose th...

( From Marketplace Proverbs Vol. 2: Micro to Macro — The Ripple Effect of Influence ) 💬 Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee with Ernie™ — Episode 30 is live! In a world full of filters, slogans, and AI-generated taglines, it’s tempting to tweak the truth — especially in business. But Proverbs 30 reminds us: God’s Word doesn’t need editing. It needs alignment. It’s already perfect, powerful, and purpose...

December 29 — Proverbs 29: Clearing the Fog When life turns foggy, the danger isn’t the road—it’s trusting your instincts instead of God’s direction. Proverbs 29:18 (MSG) gives us a powerful picture of what happens when our spiritual visibility drops: “ If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed.” Fog does...

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.”—Proverbs 26:4–5 (NIV) Few passages in Proverbs sound more contradictory than this one. In one verse, Solomon says, “ Don’t answer a fool .” In the very next, he says, “ Do answer a fool. ” At first glance, it appears to be sending mixed sig...

A special message from me to you. Merry Christmas to you and yours. 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

Have you ever chased something… only to watch it vanish the moment you caught it? That’s what wealth does when it becomes the goal, not the byproduct. Today, our focus is Proverbs 23:4-5 because it’s the 23rd day of the month. Welcome to Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie™ — where a Proverb a day keeps stinking thinking away. Today, I am sharing from chapter 23 of Marketplace Proverbs Vol...

Power isn’t About How Loud we speak—It’s about how well we restrain it In business, people often mistake meekness for weakness. But in God’s economy, meekness is one of the most powerful leadership traits we can have, because it’s power under control. Today, our focus is on Proverbs 22:4 because it’s the 22nd day of the month. “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and l...

Haste makes mistakes.—Proverbs 19:2 In today’s fast-paced marketplace, we often confuse movement with momentum. But quick decisions made under pressure often come with long-term consequences. In this episode, I share the biblical story of King Saul’s hasty choice, how it relates to modern leadership, and the marketplace lesson it taught me the hard way. Here’s the big idea: ✅ Speed can win a mome...

“When your relationships start sounding fuzzy, it’s not the source that moved — it’s the connection that weakened. Proverbs 18 reminds us: Wisdom flows where we keep the line clean.” In today’s episode, we discuss the concept of keeping static out of our relationship with God and His other children, those we serve. Thanks for listening to Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee With Ernie! This podcast is p...

What if I told you that happiness isn’t just a feeling—it’s a competitive advantage? It can open doors, build trust, and keep you energized in ways talent alone never will. Today, I’ll tell you why I believe happiness belongs on your business scoreboard. Welcome to Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie™ — where a Proverb a day keeps stinking thinking away. I’m Ernie Lansford, here to help you...

Today, we discuss changing traditional KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to Key Partnership Indicators. Thanks for listening to Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee With Ernie! This podcast is public, so feel free to share it. 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

“The path of lazy people is overgrown with briers; the diligent walk down a smooth road.” Proverbs 15:19 NKJV Diligence isn’t hustle—it’s holy stewardship. It clears the clutter, opens doors, and builds trust in ways laziness never could. In today’s episode of Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie™, we look at the power of follow-up, the parable of the talents, and why setting calendar appoin...

New Podcast Episode Alert! 🎙️ Today, I’m diving into “Under the Broom Tree: Elijah’s Lesson for Today” from Marketplace Proverbs Vol. 6. Explore how Elijah’s despair mirrors our cultural struggles—loneliness, performance pressure—and how God’s whisper guides us back. Tune in for wisdom to navigate shifts with resilience. 🌳 Ever hit a low after a big win? Elijah did—fire from heaven to sit under a...