Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee With Ernie

Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee With Ernie

Have you ever heard someone say, maybe jokingly, maybe not, “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 capable of moving the revenue needle. In plain English: chase the big dollar and ignore the nickels. But here’s a question for our coffee together today. What if one of the clearest warning lights of internal drift is how we assign value to people? Do we treat some customers, coworkers, or team members as more worthy of our time simply because of their title, platform, followers, or purchase order? Peter Drucker wrote about human dignity in the workplace. King Solomon warned about people who stir up trouble and manipulate others. When I put those two ideas together, I felt challenged by a deeper question. Am I serving people for what they can do for me… or for what God wants to do through me? 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 [https://marketplaceproverbs.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee With Ernie

Solomon writes of safety, peace, and restful sleep. Jesus says: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.”— Matthew 10:16 ESV That sounds anything but safe. Sheep are not intimidating animals. They are vulnerable, dependent, and easily harmed. Wolves, on the other hand, are predators. They stalk, isolate, and attack weakness. Yet Jesus sends His followers out anyway. That tension fascinates me. Let’s discuss it on today’s episode. 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 [https://marketplaceproverbs.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee With Ernie

What if the most sought-after letters after a person’s name weren’t MD, MA, MBA, or PhD? What if they were simply: DM. Disciple Maker. We live in a culture that highly values credentials, certifications, titles, and accomplishments. There’s nothing inherently wrong with education or professional achievement. I’ve spent nearly sixty years in the marketplace surrounded by highly talented, highly credentialed people. Credentials can open doors. Titles can create opportunity. Education can sharpen skills. But I’ve learned something through the years. Letters after our name may impress people. But transformed lives impact eternity. Scripture “My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.”— Proverbs 2:1–3 NLT 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 [https://marketplaceproverbs.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee With Ernie

Jon Kluiter, my friend and co-author of Marketplace Proverbs Vol. 1 and 2, joins me today to discuss the classic movie Glengarry Glen Ross. 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 [https://marketplaceproverbs.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee With Ernie

I bet you know people who are nearly impossible to replace. They may not be the loudest. or have the fanciest title. They may not even earn the highest salary. Yet when they leave an organization or team, everyone feels the difference. Why? Because, from my perspective, some people consistently bring more value and add significance than what is merely required. They do more than expected, and they serve beyond minimum standards. They go the extra mile. They give what I like to call nine hours for eight. “Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.—Proverbs 30:25 NIV 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 [https://marketplaceproverbs.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]