Proverbs 8:10 -11 (MSG) 10Prefer my life--disciplines over chasing after money, and God-knowledge over a lucrative career. 11For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
- Matt 10:28 (NIV) 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Chapter 8 of Proverbs introduces the reader to Wisdom: her beginning, her instruction (discipline) and her value to people. What struck me was how counter-intuitive verse 10 (above) is to our culture today. Status, wealth, power, and living the "good life" rule the airwaves. We live in a society where truth is not as valued as is correctness, tolerance and sincerity (being open to any idea as long as it is passionately, personally, sincerely believed). We have become a society that is more concerned about how we look, how we are liked, and how are decisions "feel" than what is right (or better, righteous).
In Patrick Lencioni's book on The Five Temptations of a CEO he suggests that the fourth of those is about choosing harmony over conflict. His point was that many CEOs are tempted to "protect their status, to be popular with direct reports, and ...correct decisions sometimes fail...because they haven't benefited from the best sources of information...available to them: their direct reports." This conflict avoidance is done because of a desire for people to "get along," to "agree," to be inclusive. Lencioni's advice was to "tolerate discord." Encourage the passionate sharing of ideological differences. Consider different perspectives. Then, make a decision that honors inputs and is focused on the vision, is in line with the mission and reflects the core values of the organization. Trust people with your ego. Lead. A leader who is grounded can do this. A leader who prefers fearing God is equipped to think with multiple, divergent inputs. This kind of leader understands that it is not about what people think, but about what God thinks and can tolerate passionate discussion so that clarity of purpose can be achieved.
Christian Leaders understand that Christ brings division (see Matt 10: 34 - 39) and that the Gospel is not politically correct - but that does not stop them from acknowledging their source of Wisdom, their anchor in a storm.
In Acts 17, the reaction of the intellectuals when Paul spoke in the very pluralistic Athens is very similar today's - people "sneer" at the Gospel and the belief in a personal God who cares, loves and to whom all are accountable.
Taking a stand in business for truth and righteousness sometimes will yield sneering. To battle that belittling attitude, Christian leaders must remember, "Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth." It is a lie that "he who has the gold, wins." Wisdom will ultimately trump the Donald Trumps of this world.
Righteousness will someday reign. Leaders whose source of strength is not their balance sheet, their stock price, but their Creator-Lord may take some "hits" from the "ruler of this world;" but, undaunted, they focus on the goal set before them by the Word and press on toward a higher calling then net worth.
The promise of God is that He cares for the little sparrows: how much more will He care for us who are created in His image and "fear" only Him. Chapter 8 in Proverbs ends with [Wisdom speaking]"...blessed (happy) are those who keep my ways..." Are you blessed?
Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell
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