Leaders Manage - Themselves

Proverbs 31:4-5 (MSG) Leaders can't afford to make fools of themselves, gulping wine and swilling beer, lest, hung over, they don't know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt.

• Proverbs 20:1 (MSG) Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome-- a staggering drunk is not much fun.


• 1 Peter 5:8 (MSG) Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping.


• Titus 2:12 (MSG) We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now....


• Thessalonians 5:6 (MSG) So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart.

What are we filled with? That is the question. There is a role responsibility that comes with leadership that is well beyond personal pleasure. Leadership is always about those that are being lead.

It was David Ogilvy, who told his successor when asked what one piece of advice he could provide, is reported to have said, "No matter how much time you spend thinking about, worrying about, focusing on, questioning the value of and evaluating people, it won't be enough. People are the only thing that matters and the only thing you should think about, because when that part is right, everything else works." Leaders must first manage themselves and for some, that might begin with simply dealing with how much they drink. But, I'm thinking there is something deeper here than simply an instructive warning about managing liquor, wine and beer.

It is Peter Drucker in his 1999 HBR article on Managing Oneself who pointed out that "history's great achievers – like a Napoleon, a da Vinci, or a Mozart - have always managed themselves....[and later in the same article] Success in the knowledge economy comes to those who know themselves - their strengths, their values and how they best perform."

Scripture is telling us that managing self begins with rejecting the shallowness of the world and focus on being filled with the Spirit. A leader filled with anything else ends up sleepwalking through life.

I was struck, not be the admonition to not drink, but by a question I had to ask myself: “What do I have in my life that is equivalent to ‘gulping wine and swilling beer?’" Whatever it is in a person's life that fills them to excess leaves no room for the Spirit. Paul's charge in Eph 5:18: "...but be filled with the Spirit." As a leader - and we all are in some way, no matter our position - being filled with the Spirit is what will give us wisdom and power and protect us from foolishness. It is what gives us the ability to understand the strengths that God has given us. It helps us understand the Gift of the Spirit we have been given when we joined the family of God through Christ.

I'm sure we have seen the self-indulgent life that has damaged athletes, politicians and business leaders. Christians must be vigilant because we are warned that the Evil One is "poised to pounce." Drinking is a path to self-indulgence - but there are others: power, pornography and pride to name a few.

Are you open to being filled with God alone?

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell

Walking Like a Leader

Proverbs 30:29-31 (AMP) 29There are three things which are stately in step, yes, four which are stately in their stride: 30The lion, which is mightiest among beasts and turns not back before any; 31the war horse [well-knit in the loins], the male goat also, and the king [when his army is with him and] against whom there is no uprising.

• (NKJV) 29 There are three things which are majestic in pace, Yes, four which are stately in walk: 30 A lion, which is mighty among beasts and does not turn away from any; 31 a greyhound, [Exact identity unknown] a male goat also, and a king whose troops are with him. [A Jewish tradition reads a king against whom there is no uprising.]

There is an old, and well-worn story of a man years ago walking who approached a laborer who was laying bricks and asked him, “What are you doing?” The laborer somewhat sarcastically shot back, “Can’t you see I’m laying bricks?”

Walking further, the man came across another bricklayer and asked, “What are you doing?” The workman looked up with quiet confidence and replied, “I’m building a cathedral.”

Both were physically doing the same thing. But the first was occupied with only his lot in life and his task. The second was walking a path toward an ultimate goal.

Agur, the author of this chapter of Proverbs, had many interesting comments about life, most of which were based on his keen observation of the animal kingdom. Why these three and what could they mean to me?

Agur began with the stately lion – and those of us raised in the church, know the symbol of Christ being the Lion of the tribe of Judah. But there’s more. The lion walks with great majesty, very slowly, step by step, the left foot first; shaking its shoulders as it goes, and this without fear; it does not go out of its way for any creature it meets with; it doesn’t hasten its pace when pursued, nor show the lest sign of fear; nor does it turn its back to any. It moves ahead toward its goal with confidence in its stride. It is interesting to note that Aristotle, Pliny, Homer, and Virgil have all written about the lion and each observed what Agur in book of Proverbs observed. Many of the church fathers, although martyred, were lions of the church for they were steadfast in their eternal duty and did not loose focus even under the horrific circumstances of loosing limbs and ultimately their life.

The second metaphor is open to interpretation: some say a rooster; others a greyhound or other hunting dog; still others say warhorse. The latter has strong roots in the Hebrew understanding and fits the imagery happening here. You cannot ride a lion – you observe them, and not normally tame them: you can ride a horse once tamed. In Job 39:19 God asks Job, “Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?” The majesty of a beautiful horse alone is breath taking: with a majestic rider, even more so. That rider has the ability to control the tamed animal, move with it when riding, and does not fight for dominance with the horse – but works with it, knowing it tendencies and managing its strength.

Our society has lost the imagery of the billy-goat or he goat which, with its long beard, walks very gravely, and in a stately manner, before the flock (and the Septuagint adds "going before the flock"). This goat has earned the right to lead the flock. There is no dispute now: that was settled in the pasture. The flock follows for it has learned that this one goat can lead.

Each of these animals picture the leader – called King in this culture – who, like leaders today, had to hold the troops together. One scholar renders this passage, “and a king with whom the people is” recognizing that powerful symbiotic relationship between leaders and followers. The majestic business leader has the ability to keep all within the company focused toward a common goal and proves him/herself open to the strengths of others to help in realizing that goal.

Some lead like the lion – think of Moses – alone, but focused – constantly moving forward. Others lead like Joshua, riding upon the leadership of Moses, and when he assumed power, became like the lion his mentor was. Others lead like Caleb, Joshua’s right hand man. Proven a leader in battle time and again, his troops followed until the end of his days. None are our examples of a leader better than Jesus Christ who served those he lead, but with quiet authority, moved steadily toward his purpose on earth. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are to have the same mind as Christ, our lion, our leader.

To the world, our walk should somehow seem majestic. It will be, if we remember that we are not just laying bricks, we are building a cathedral. What are you building?

© Copyright 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell

Fulfilling Your Purpose

Proverbs 29:18 (MSG)  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

• (DARBY) Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint; but happy is he that keepeth the law.


• (AMP) Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.

This verse has often been presented as a reason to have a personal or corporate vision (Darby and NASB translate it that way - note also the Amplified). No denying the importance of those conclusions. But what is fundamental is that the vision spoken of in this verse is about God and his revelation to man - not about the creation of a personal or corporate vision or purpose statement that is separate from God's revelation. Those both are important, maybe even vital when building a business or building one's life. More to the point of this verse is that if God is not brought into the affairs of humans, if God's Word is not part of how a person thinks about his affairs, if God is shut out from a person's living, people "stumble all over themselves!"

This has certainly been true in periods of my life. I cast off restraint, stumbled and felt like I was perishing. Lost and lonely. I had lost sight of God's revelation and His purpose for me. I forgot that I was created in His image. My negative thinking was, in fact, a violation of His first commandment. How dare I think that what God has created (me) would not be of value to Him and to His kingdom? When negative thoughts intrude, my responsibility is to immediately ask God to heal whatever it is in me that has generated that negative self-talk.

Perhaps, like me, you have periods where you struggle with your real purpose for being. Why are you here? What had God intended for you that makes best use of what He has uniquely and wonderfully created? Sometimes, "seeing what God is doing" is a matter of faith-sight, not earthly site.

That life of "seeing" is practiced in a life of prayer and trust in His word. Hard to do with today's culture. What I see in America today is a result of the systematic denial of God's influence in the affairs of people. People have "cast off restraint" in the popular "reality" TV shows, in how the news is reported, in our schools and in how many companies are run. I am reminded of Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children."

Matthew Henry put it this way: "T[he] gospel is an open vision, which holds forth Christ, which humbles the sinner and exalts the Savior, which promotes holiness in the life and conversation: and these are precious truths to keep the soul alive, and prevent it from perishing."

What a powerful incentive for business leaders. Who is better equipped to fulfill the consequence of that obedience of "holding forth Christ? The consequence is happy, fortunate and enviable employees, vendors and customers? Who is better equipped to minister to the world than people in the marketplace? The 9 - 5 window is certainly much bigger than the Missionary's 10 -4 0 window.

When you first focus on what God is doing you will be used to fulfill the Great Commission at work. A purpose, greater than work, is met. Companies are transformed. Lives changed- “attending to what He reveals.”  Are you blessed at work?

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

Character: the Key to Leadership

Proverbs 28:14 (NIV)  Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

• (AMP) Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.


• Psalm 144:15b (NLT) Happy indeed are those whose God is the LORD.

God wants His followers to be happy. God tell us many times how to be happy.

The word translated "blessed" has suffered the agony of tradition adjusting translation. Kings gave their blessing to subjects and that concept gave birth to our concept of that a blessing comes from someone of a higher estate doing something nice -- fulfilling a need -- for those who are not so fortunate.   Blessing then is dependent on people.

The word is better understood as "happy," or even, "lucky." Happiness is very different. It's not about position; it is about being satisfied in your position. It is about how we humans relate to our creator. It is about who is our god. Our happiness is not dependent on anyone else but us.

The writer tells us that happiness is found in fear - interesting. Not cowering fears that will shackle all of life. Not a fear that destroys. This is a fear that provides life. Adam and Eve did not "fear" God when He told them the consequence of eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And, in fact, they did not "drop dead" on the spot (which may explain why Adam willingly ate of the tree). He was living by "sight" and right then, did not fear the consequence of his sin. I can relate. I live by sight far too often. Besides, our culture has told us that we don't want to "fear" anyone or anything. We want to be autonomous - our whole culture breeds people who do not really "fear" authority. After all, we have nothing to fear, but fear itself. Our courts and judicial process have made a mockery out of consequence of actions, and now many criminals have no fear - as Nike would want us all to live. Our courts are supposed to be a model for Godly government, have confused right from wrong, life from death, just from unjust. They have lost their fear of the ultimate judge - the one who will judge them for their lack of righteous judgment.  

I have seen some CEOs who fear no person - including the Board - and live with the misconception that the Golden Parachute that they negotiated is a Teflon coating to do as they please. Why did we have Enron, etc.? One reason is that the CEOs did not fear God, let alone the Board.

Christian business people aren't like that. Right? Wrong. Doing it my way and not God's way is sin. Any sin is an act of the hardening of one's heart. Period. No exceptions. My way hardens me. It "makes himself insensible to sin, and so he will not repent" as one commentator puts it. A "wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil..." (Pr14: 16) because the consequence to a hardening of the heart is trouble--real fear.

Know God. No Fear. Fear God. Know happiness.

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

The Power of the Servant-leadership

Proverbs 27:2 (NIV) Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

• Proverbs 25:27 (NAS) It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glory search out one's own glory.


• Luke 14:11 (NAS) For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.


• Matt. 23:12 (NAS) Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.


• Phil. 2:6-8 (MSG) He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death--and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.


• James 4:10 (NAS) Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

The story is told of General Robert E. Lee when traveling on train to Richmond, he was seated at the rear of the coach. The car was also filled with officers and soldiers. At one of the stations, an elderly woman, poorly dressed boarded the coach. Having no seat offered her, she trudged her way down the aisle slowly to the back. Immediately, Lee stood up and gave her his seat. One man after the other then stood up to give the general his seat. "No, gentleman," he firmly explained, "if there is none for this lady, there can be none for me!"

General Lee understood that the Biblical principal of humility demands consideration for people in all walks of life, not merely for those of high social status like himself. That gallantry seems somehow lost in this age of "strutting," and this verse seems out of sync with our culture. From the athlete who talks in the 3rd person to the movie stars who preen for the camera and have a remark to make that allows the viewer to know their status, we are inundated with self-exaltation.

Humility is expressed in business leaders as servant-leadership:  the ability to view your position of leadership as a platform to serve the needs of those who serve with you and those who report to you. The problem is that for us humans, this humility to like a slippery watermelon seed: once you get your fingers around it, and you think you have it, it just slips away.

It is the servant-leader who exercises authority - which I see as the skill of motivating people to willingly do what you have asked because of your personal influence. Authority is different than power. Power can be bought or sold and given or taken. Sometimes, people are put in positions of power because of nepotism or how much they donate to the organization. Not so with authority. It is earned because of a person's character as expressed in their behavior.

Christ has left us with the example of the behaviors of humility and servant-leadership. The Philippian passage reminds us of the cost. The result of the authority of His impact is still being felt today. It is a great paradox that in the world of Christians that it takes humility to walk the road to glory. Are you on the right path?

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

No Man Is An Island

Proverbs 24:6 (MSG) Strategic planning [wise guidance (NLT) ] is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel.

• (AMP) For by wise counsel you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety.


• Proverbs 26:12 (MSG) See that man who thinks he's so smart?  You can expect far more from a fool than from him.


• Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms

Wise Counsel. Many counselors. This is one of several times that the writers of Proverbs have suggested that going it alone is not the way God created us.

What I found interesting was the Peterson translation as his thought that "wise counsel" was the same as strategic planning. I think not:  certainly a good strategic planning process must include collaboration from many sources in the firm; however, strategic planning is far more than just wise guidance and seeking counsel from others.  Strategic planning includes the understanding of the values that shape your purpose and your mission. It has as a foundation not only the clear understanding of your strengths (competencies); weaknesses (constraints within the firm); opportunities (open doors); and, threats (impediments to your success from outside the firm). The list of these is only the beginning of the process:  strategy begins to emerge when you match your competencies with the open doors and the impediments and begin to understand what the market provides and what alliances, mergers, acquisitions or just plain capital might be needed to overcome impediments.  I don't think that's what this verse addresses.

But you might say, it really does not apply to me for I'm not "going to war" either in a military sense or in a metaphorical sense in the competitive environment. I'm thinking that thought is dangerous. Believers so easily forget (well, I know at least that I do!) that we are living in enemy territory (Earth) and that we are engaged in a war that is beyond our understanding.

It is this war that demands community - counsel from others of like mind and consideration of what God has to say.  We must never forget that our Creator has promised us not only ultimate victory, but also present victory, if we fight the battles His way. And His way involves others. We are not called to be autonomous in our faith. It is a lie that "religion" is personal: it is something that if lived out with all our spiritual battle gear on (see Ephesians) we are so attractive that those not dressed for "battle" will want what we have. Now, the dressing for battle is something that takes both personal initiative and community support. That's why "wise guidance" is so vital. Sometimes we "think" we are dressed for battle, but those close to us see that we are really "naked."

Are you properly dressed and ready for battle?

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

The Seduction of Success

Proverbs 23:17- 18 (NIV)  Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

• Psalm 9:10 (NLT) Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you.


• Proverbs 24:14 (NAS) Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.


• Proverbs 28:14  (NASB) How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.


• Isaiah 8:13 (NLT) Do not fear anything except the LORD Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear him, you need fear nothing else.


• Luke 1:50 (NIV) His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.


• I Peter 1:17 (NIV) Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.


• James 1:5-8 (NIV) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

You know the type. Wealthy. Work hard and play hard. Travel. Mountain house. Seaside house. City house. Kids in the best schools. Personal trainers and dietician. They live by their own rules. It is hard not to envy that life style with the constant bombardment of the media painting the lifestyles of the rich and famous as glamorous. We have been sucked into measuring life by stuff, not trusting God. We have become double-minded. Unstable - without a firm foundation.

I am reminded of the Edward Mote poem that has become a favorite hymn of the church since 1836 - My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus' Name.

Refrain:  On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

A man who was zealous for God wrote this poem. This former cabinet-maker turned Baptist preacher got it. When we envy the financially successful unregenerate, we have shifted our hope from what is solid and true to what is empty and without eternal meaning.

Where is your hope fixed?

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

Consequences vs. Goals

Proverbs 22:4 (MSG) The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-GOD is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.

• Proverbs 13:16 "Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor." – see also 8:18; 13:18; 21:21.


• John 12:26 "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."  


• Chronicles 29:12 "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all."


• Eccl. 5:19"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God."

Meekness
Humility - meekness- are not normal themes for a hard-charging executive. But this verse has quite a promise for all people, no matter their job – a satisfying life. Now, that’s worth slaving long hours for, right?  Well, maybe not. There is another path far more satisfying.

Satisfying Life
It is interesting to look at various translations of "satisfying life" or "long life." This adjective in the Hebrew has many nuances of meaning, but the impact of the word is not about just "living" but REALLY LIVING.  Western thinking tends to divide how we think about humans into compartments: the Eastern mind views man holistically - body, mind and spirit - all interrelated and as a unified whole. LIVING includes health, prosperity, vitality, cognition, understanding, enjoyment, etc. Life is intrinsically good because it comes from God and because he is the Lord of both life and death. This word (translated satisfying) captures a set of experience of living rather than simply some abstract principle of life.

But this kind of satisfying life has a particular beginning - it begins with God-fearing, and that takes humility:  the willingness to recognize that my life is not my own, but, as a believer, has been bought with a price which I can never repay. And in Scripture, humility and honor are often linked.

Honor
Honor is a consistent topic in Proverbs (see 13:16 for example). The Apostle John reminds us that true honor comes from the Lord, and in this New Testament passage, like today’s verse, we find the key again...the if/than. We must serve Him to receive honor. Honor is something that should accrue to a leader - especially those that follow Jesus' leadership model. His life was a model for focus on purpose, mission, and values. He demonstrated how to manage his team, handle opposition, respond to demands on his time, and how to deal with everyday realties with clear insight. And God has honored Him and set Him on God's right hand forever. That's our model. Not a failed or fallen human.

Plenty
That word rendered "plenty" sure gives rise to some strange thinking. Riches. Wealth. Plenty. I think that in our culture, our understanding is clouded by a definition that compares and contrasts our wealth with the "rich and famous." It is certainly a gift from God and Jesus warns that there are perils to focusing on wealth "but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." And Paul to Timothy points out that "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction."

Fearing God
Our focus then must be on humility and fearing God. That's why organizations that provide helpful business tools, but neglect the spiritual component, could be dangerous to the Believer, for we could easily get sucked into one-dimensional thinking instead of a holistic approach of body, mind and spirit. It is the spirit that matters. Jesus reminds us not to "store up for yourselves treasure on earth..." Wealth, honor and a full, satisfying life are consequences - not goals.

Put God at the core of your thinking - not as some abstract, ancillary association with living - and the Sunday stuff will drive the Monday stuff.

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

Planning for Prosperity

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

• Romans 12:3 (NIV) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.


• Matthew 25: (NIV) For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

Saw a bumper sticker and then a billboard about the Lottery and I thought about this verse. Diligence is out. Blatant self-promotion, even looking silly, is in. The later is the faster way to riches. Looking for the shortcuts has become the grist of reality TV and a way of American life: not many work at planning and then working the plan. TV games shows promote alliances, lying, "winning" at all costs.

The thinking behind each type is foundational to our understanding here. The rashness of the poor drives their thinking in terms of the greed-of-quick-gain Thinking that is centered on self while proclaiming consideration of others ("I'm doing this for us!" is a common line - if it for us, why wasn't I involved in the decision?). This is the person who does not think before he/she acts -you know the kind:  as soon as it enters the thinking it becomes action. Driven by sight, not be faith, these folks seek no counsel other than their own and spend (invest) to reap what they have not sown.

Living by faith, not by sight, trusting in the grace God has given demands diligence. Diligence to study His word and trust His view of wealth, abundance and stewardship. And I'm certain the author of this verse observed, in its first half, what was a natural consequence of life - (verse 6 illustrates what bad thinking and bad living lead to – 21:6 (NAS) The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.)  But the question is begged in first half of the verse - just what is prosperity?

In our culture, it is a relative term. How wealthy you are depends on your Zip Code or your Country Code. However, we are called to be good stewards of what we have been given and not concern our thinking about those who have been given more than we. God does not care about our Zip Code. He cares what we do with Zip Code he has given us. What we earn for being a good steward has an eternal pay off not necessarily a temporal reward in terms of wealth. Prosperity for the believer is about stewardship, not accumulation of wealth.

Stewardship results from planning and not hasty responding. God's people are instructed over and over again to seek the counsel of other Godly people when making plans. Learning to ask others for advice is a process of humility - asking admits that "I don't have all the answers."

Prosperity and planning. Who do you depend on when planning? What defines your prosperity?

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

Hidden Motives

Proverbs 20:5 (AMP) Counsel in the heart of man is like water in a deep well, but a man of understanding draws it out.

• (MSG) Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.


• (NIV)  The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.


• Proverbs 18:4 (AMP)  The words of a [discreet and wise] man's mouth are like deep waters [plenteous and difficult to fathom], and the fountain of skillful and godly Wisdom is like a gushing stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].


• Jeremiah 17:9 (AMP)  The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?

There seems to be two meanings taken from this one verse: the first is that righteousness is deep in the heart (of a righteous person) and the wise person draws deeply from the well of his/her own heart; the other, is that deep within the heart of a person are his/her true motives and the wise person spends the time to draw those motives out. Because our hearts are desperately wicked in their natural state, and even when we have become new creations, old vestiges of that self-will must be cleaned. It follows that it is even more imperative for the Believing Leader to discover and/or reveal by probing, the intent of not only his/her heart but also of those on the team.

Awhile back, I had a Board meeting which fits this verse - the plans of the CEO were not righteous; they are divisive and destructive. A series of interesting meetings revealed, by asking good questions, the deep waters of motives that did not match behavior. Looking good and being good are very, very different things. However, there were those on the Board who are supportive of the CEO for reasons only known to them and certainly unrelated to their fiduciary responsibility. The result was that at a meeting where the CEO’s contract was coming up for review, the Board split evenly on the firing of this person absent the vote of the chairperson. That vote keep the CEO in place and it was but a few years later that same Chair had to fire the CEO.

What strikes me in this story is not what happened, but the application to my own life. It is far easier to look at that situation and see the role I played in drawing out the truth of motives than it is to apply the same discipline to my own life. Polonius’s advice to Laertes might apply here:
This above all – to thine own self be true,      And it must follow, as the night the day,      Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Being true to one’s self, for the Believer, is a process of using God’s Word, prayer and the accountability to other believers to search the heart. In the counsel of others, we can apply the first meaning to this verse as we present a business issue to a small group of trusted Believers and let their questions “search our heart.” Sometimes this is painful, but the faster hidden motives might be revealed, the faster we can repent and move on. We don’t want to be like the CEO in my story, who thinking he had beaten the system, continued to behave in a self-serving manner and finally paid the price. We all pay the price:  some in this life: all in the next life.

Find wise people. Draw from their well. Use that water and the water of the Word to wash over you and cleanse you. I need it. I’m betting you do to.

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

Screwing up Your Courage

Proverbs 17:12  (NIV) Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly

• Proverbs 14:8b (NIV)...but the folly of fools is deception


• Psalm 1:1 (NIV) Blessed (happy) is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers...


• Eccl. 10:1 (NIV) As dead flies give a perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.


• I Cor. 3:20 (NIV) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the "wise" in their craftiness."


• James 3:1 (NIV) Such [see the verse above] "wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

Does this verse in Proverbs 17 seem like a hyperbole? A bit melodramatic? A stretch? A person spouting, living, thinking folly is more deadly than a 500 pound Syrian Brown Bear, with bared teeth, menacing growl, towering height and long claws, diving down and running at us?

Hard to imagine that, but we are asked to. We would desperately try never to tempt a bear to attack. We would avoid cute little bear cubs if we found them hiking. No provocation here. Avoidance at all costs.

And that's the picture the writer gives us here. The deadly, angry mother bear vs. a person wise in their own eyes and having no need for God is the better of the two choices. After all (we think) we can debate the fool but are not strong enough to withstand the bear! Unless we had a weapon. Unless we knew how to use it so as not to enrage the bear and spawn further attacks. Ah , the comfort of false thinking!

The more I read the more it becomes apparent that we are under greater threat from the "wisdom of this world" than from the physical attack of a known fearsome animal. Why is that? Perhaps, because the folly of fools fills us with false hope. Or because it is seductive: it appeals to our self-centered natures. It makes us feel good and feeling good is paramount today. We don't want to feel badly about anyone or anything. Perhaps it is because the world's words, having wormed their way into our willing hearts and minds, seem somehow filled with wisdom. And, after all, if "everybody" is thinking "that" way, it takes courage to provide a different perspective.

Winston Churchill offered a thought about courage: "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." Profound. We have become a timid lot, we followers of the Way. We are willing to listen when we should stand up to speak; and we stand up to speak only when the audience is "safe." Who we look to for counsel (walk in the counsel) who we hang around with (stand in the way of) and where we sit to learn (sit in the seat of) affects our spiritual happiness. It takes courage to change your associations. We are to be in the world, not of it. And this verse in Proverbs strikes me as a reminder of how easy it is to be "of it."

Who are you afraid of most? The bear or the fool?

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

Learning How to See Beyond the Obvious

Proverbs 16:2 (NLV) All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the thoughts of the heart.

• (MSG) Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; GOD probes for what is good.


• (AMP) All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart).


• Samuel 16:7 [AMP]  But the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance or at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

As a society, we have become focused on what “looks good.” People magazine and others like it would go out of business if society’s focus were on what “is good.”  The domination of political correctness is more about looking good than doing what is good. The drive for quarterly results by some corporations to meet analysts’ expectations was (is?) more often based on what looked good (until the exposure of Enron, WorldCom, etc and then Sarbanes-Oxley began to be implemented). Ethical behavior must be intentional:  people left to their own devices will always drift toward appearance-thinking – looking good while being bad.

Where do we see this kind of thinking this --“looking at the appearance” -- in business? One place is in our hiring practices. Succession planning begins here:  hiring people who reflect the core values of the organization starts with the first interview.

I admit:  discovering a candidate’s real core values (how they behave) is not easy:  it takes work to probe and do that with care. Probing is not asking questions like, “Have you read our core values?”  or “What do you think of our values?”  “Tell me why I should hire you for this job.” Those answers can be rehearsed. Even if you ask them to tell a story to illustrate how they have handled a particular situation, their view of the story will reflect their belief that their actions were “pure.”

Probing is discovering “the thoughts and intents of the heart” by asking questions like, “Why did you do it that way?” “What was the result?”  “What would ___ say about the result if I asked him/her?” “What would you have done differently today, now that you have more life experience?” “How does what you did (or said) reflect your value system? (your employer’s core values?) These are questions that go beyond the “looking good” answer. Questions that begin to help us understand the “heart.” Answers that will demonstrate, through stories of behavior, whether they are other-centered instead of self-centered.

Another place in business where appearance instead of goodness can drive behavior is in our financial statements. Revenue, for example:  Sales executives who want their numbers to look good sometimes have been known to report numbers with questionable ethics – working side deals so that business will be booked that should not be – you know, conversations that might go something like, “…Send me the PO now, we will ship, but between you and me, I’ll send out a our return authorization so next month so you can return…”   Your business probably has your own set of examples of behaviors that look good, but would not pass the ethics test.

Leaders must learn to look behind the appearance and probe the ethics and behavior. This takes work, discipline and willingness to practice active listening.

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell          

True Wealth

Proverbs 15:16 (AMP) Better is little with the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord than great and rich treasure and trouble with it.

• Psalm 37:16 (AMP) Better is the little that the [uncompromisingly] righteous have than the abundance [of possessions] of many who are wrong and wicked.


• 1 Timothy 6:6 (AMP)  [And it is, indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain.


• Proverbs 16:8 (AMP)  Better is a little with righteousness (uprightness in every area and relation and right standing with God) than great revenues with injustice.

A little with contentment. Seems like an oxymoron. In this society of “he who has the most toys, wins” attitude, this “little” idea has no traction. Being “content about it” would seem to indicate that lack of assertiveness, poor self-image, and destructive personal behavior. Surely the concept of happy poor people is not what God wants, especially for the businessperson. As business people, we want to be magnets to the lost. Attractive magnets. Can’t be that with a failed business. Yes, you can. It is your attitude that’s the key. That’s what the world is watching.

What drives a person is important, even vital – an attitdue. Some insight might be gained by noticing the Amplified translation’s rendering of that word “contentment”  (“that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency”). From whence does inward sufficiency come? It comes with the understanding of purpose.

The book of Jeremiah succinctly points us to purpose:  In Jeremiah 1:5 [the Lord said to Jeremiah] "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." What I am about to suggest is not original with me, but has been around a bit: substitute the word you with your name:  "I knew [you] Griff before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born, Griff¸ I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." Now, replace the words “spokesman to the world” and substitute it with words that shape, describe or capture your purpose. For me that might look like:  "I knew [you] Griff before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my teacher, advisor and mentor to the business world." But there’s more.

Your purpose and mine is expressed in a focus that has as its foundation, love (see I Cor. 13).  Let’s try that with love added: "I knew [you] ____your name here______ before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you to express my love to people as my teacher, advisor and mentor in the business world."

With this understanding, drivers for the Christian businessperson are not wealth. Not status. Not prestige. Not power. What should drive us is the process of living out our purpose and leaving the results to God. Something like learning a golf swing:  if you’re thinking about the result and not the process, you’ll often miss the shot. Focus on the process.

“Fear of the Lord” starts with our understanding of His love for us (He formed us, knew us and set us apart) and our purpose is a unique expression of how he “formed us.” That purpose can be achieved in many settings. Living richly results in fulfilling your purpose. Do you have true wealth?

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

Seduced by Fools?

Proverbs 14: 7 (NIV) "Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips."

• Genesis 4:7b (NIV) [God speaking to Cain] "But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."


• John 15:9 (NLT)  The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you.


• 2 Corinthians 6:14-18  (NIV) 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." 17 "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."  18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."


• Eph 5:10 -11 (AMP) 10And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. 11Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.

Who do you listen to? What kinds of books make up your library? At whose feet do you "sit" as it were? This verse tells us that the answers are important. There is a danger that we might not see at first glance.

Who is this fool? In Proverbs it is a person who lives life as if God were irrelevant - not important for all of life:  certainly not for business. A fool lives as if there is no God.

These prideful people prove they are fools by what they say. Colleges and Universities are populated with fools. Fools write most of the business, organizational development and marketing books we study. Harsh assessment? Yes. But an accurate one, from a Biblical perspective.

Does not mean we throw out the material that accurately observes the world and interactions between supply and demand, want and need, innovation and complacency? NO.  It does mean that we become very cautious when those texts reach beyond the observable and begin talking about desires, values, attitudes and the human condition. We must ask ourselves, "Is their approach to life based on an evolutionary assumption (matter is eternal) or a Biblical assumption (Spirit [God} is eternal)?" If the answer is “Yes,” to the materialistic assumption, than that author is a fool and this verse tells us to "stay away." Run. Flee. Avoid those who cannot teach us truth (remember our instruction is to be in their world, not of their world).

Not the easiest thing to do in today's workplace. There are many around us whose advice we seek about business, who are in fact, fools. There are times when their advice is not consistent with Scripture and we are called to be discerning. Learning to be discerning is a work of the Holy Spirit and does not just "happen." It involves work and "doing what is right" as God instructed Cain. God's "way" seemed "foolish" to Cain. That's sin.

God said sin "desires" us. It's the same word used to describe intense sexual desire in its only other uses in scripture. Sin is that way. It wants to devour us and we have minimized its impact and it's power.

Foolish words have power. Textbooks are important: but discernment more so. God's way is not negotiable, as Cain discovered. Business can be run in a way to be pleasing to God and so can your life.

It depends on where you find your knowledge.

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

Shaped by Association

Proverbs 13: 20 (NLT) Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.

• 1 Cor.5:11 (AMP) But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of [Christian] brother if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater [whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God], or is a person with a foul tongue [railing, abusing, reviling, slandering], or is a drunkard or a swindler or a robber. [No] you must not so much as eat with such a person.


• Ephesians 5:5-7 (NLT) 5You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world. 6Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey him. 7Don't participate in the things these people do.

In life, those with whom you "hang around" will shape you. In the business world, senior executives who develop their personal advisory team also benefit from surrounding themselves with the wise and not the foolish.

Wait, you might say. Nobody puts fools on their team – especially an advisory team or Board of Directors! Certainly, not knowingly. The Bible simply defines a fool as a person who says there is no God and lives as if God is not relevant to their lives and His existence (or lack thereof) does not really matter. The wise not only recognize God's existence but also the personal impact of a God who was never alone become alone so that we might have a personal relationship with Him.

Christian business leaders must recognize that some of the “foolish people” are on a search for God. That search is often times confusing because there are those who say they have found God but live life as if it really does matter. And then there are those who go to church on Sunday and live like the devil Monday – Saturday:  they damage everybody, confusing those on their search; blinding those who accept the existence, but struggle with the relevance; and infuriate those who have a vital personal relationship with Him.

Business leaders who claim and live-out their faith can’t just hire and promote a person because of their faith. So, how does the senior executive build a team a team of advisors that will support their walk of faith?

One way is by aligning themselves with groups of business people who have the same value system – groups like Christ @ Work (see http://www.fcci.org/) or Marketplace Ministries (http://www.marketplaceministries.com/) or BBL - Breakthrough Business Leadership (http://www.bblforum.com/). The principle is the same for each: hang with the spiritually wise and become wiser. Build an ad hoc advisory team with the "wise" and expect God to work through them and through you to achieve His purposes in your business.


Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

The Power of Your Words

Proverbs 10: 32 (MSG) The speech of a good person clears the air; the words of the wicked pollute it.

• (AMP) 32The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous know [and therefore utter] what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows [and therefore speaks only] what is obstinately willful and contrary.


• Matt 12:36, 37 (NLT) 36 And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned."


• Eccl 2:26a (NLT) God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him.

Words have meaning.

I'm not just stating the obvious: there are those who believe that words have no real meaning and we should not be upset by someone's choice of words.  God has a different view:  What you say matters. Idle words matter.

Effective leadership is about keeping the "air clear." How easily communication can become polluted.  Clarity of purpose and speech has become somewhat a lost art. We have a political culture that that too often obfuscates the true meaning and gilds speech with pretty words that mean nothing.

Chapter 10 of Proverbs has much to say about what how we speak: verses 11, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 31 and 32 all refer to what is said and the heart behind the words spoken.  Good people - and good really meaning the righteous - speak for the benefit of others and not themselves. What they say is understood as having impact on the hearers. It is this gift of language that gives meaning to our lives, and sometimes we take speech for granted.  In our flesh, we can easily misinterpret speech - especially as children we can give meaning to something said that is outside the context. And that meaning can shape how we understand life as an adult. We must learn to separate information from meaning.

As a young teacher and chair of the English department at my junior high school, I had the awful task of recommending the censure and firing of one of my department members who decided to teach Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver-a book filled with that overused four letter word beginning with "f."  Her legal defense was that words were just words and meaning was what "we" choose to give them. They had no meaning, per se. That argument ultimately turned out to be a loosing one. But it matched the times.  Many legal battles were waged over the rights of teachers and students to use George Carlin's famous list of "bad words." The result of this legal mess was the political correctness movement where the air is now polluted with "correct" language that is often "willful and contrary."

Believers are admonished that our words must make a difference. Powerful business leaders, because of a “spirit sold out to Christ,” naturally speaks words that edify and clarify without having to "be careful" of what is said. Words that are filled with both grace and truth. Too much truth and no grace drives critical language. Too much grace and no truth produce words that slide into fluff. We are called to be purveyors of peace with words that are fitting to our listeners.

We can trust in the promise that righteousness yields wisdom and joy. That right living is produced by our obedience and our faith in the one who is Grace and Truth. The result? Words that encourage, edify and empower. Are you that kind of leader?

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

Looking In All the Wrong Places?

Proverbs 8: 9-10 (NLT) [Wisdom speaking] "9My words are plain and clear to anyone with half a mind-if it is only open! 10 My instruction is far more valuable than silver or gold."

• (AMP) 9 They are all plain to him who understands [and opens his heart], and right to those who find knowledge [and live by it]. 10Receive my instruction in preference to [striving for] silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Wisdom (God) is a self-existent reality - a concept hard for our minds to process. Andre Gide is reported to have said, "Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it." Gide couldn't process it. He was wrong. We can know Truth (Wisdom).

Wisdom always was and always will be. We have to be aligned to it to learn it. It does not change. It is we who must change to be open to Wisdom's words because Wisdom's truth is not relative - it is absolute. Cicero wrote that the function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil. The first man, Adam, could have trusted God for that discrimination:  sin changed that trust. Now we must seek truth outside of ourselves. We must find The Truth. To know Truth, we must know Wisdom. And that Truth has value put in terms humans seem to understand best - money. It's more valuable. Now that should change everything.

Wisdom is portrayed as a women calling out to passers by earlier in the chapter. In my mind, I picture this woman to be unadorned, plain. Attractive if one were to stop and notice. But not loud. Not seductive. Strong, confident. Not flirty. I arrived at this from the word pictures used to contrast Wisdom and foolishness. The latter is seductive, alluring, sensual - the kind of women that are presented to our culture today. Shaped the right way. Dressed the right way. Smelling right.

Wisdom, on the other hand, is not shaped by Oprah or Hollywood, dressed by designers or concerned by about seductive smells. She "calls out" with words to live by that have their basis in truth of creation and are not glowing words meant to seduce the listener. She offers advice, not empty flattery with flashing, saucy eyes. Her advice is authoritative because she teaches from her own authority, not others. Her looks are direct and bore into the soul.

She is more valuable than riches yet she is so often ignored. Why? Maybe because she sees us as we are. Hmmm. Now open your mind to that! The human mind is often shut, not because of any real intention to ignore God, but because of laziness. Dull thinking. Chasing what has less value but is more seductive. The destructive focus on the value of "silver and gold" and not the eternal value of truth and living God's way.

Our culture bombards us with images, messages and memories of the "rich and famous." Cars, computers and clothes have seduced us. Sunday morning sports have replaced faith and soul-searching. And for some of those who find a church, it's more about what it will do for them rather than loving others. The foundation of Wisdom is Love which is about others, not ourselves. And love is close at hand.

No need to pack-up and travel about to search for Wisdom. Wisdom is right here – easily found. Clear words. Plain thinking. Easy to understand. The key? Allow Wisdom's words to shape our behavior.  

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell                       

Confidence vs. Pride

Proverbs 6:16 - 17a (AMP) 16These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:  17A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others]

• Phil 2:3 (AMP) Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].

One dictionary tell us that pride is, “A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect….or…Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness….even…An excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit.” Confidence on the other hand is, “Trust or faith in a person or thing…. A feeling of assurance, especially of self-assurance.”  The Hebrew uses the expression "eye of loftiness"  (c.f.) Ps 131:1 to describe a "proud look" - a look all of us have not doubt seen.  Sometimes it's a glance. A smirk. A roll of the eyes. The look that says, "How in the world could you ever know? You aren't that smart." This look, this attitude fits well that meaning of pride. Confidence, however, begins with faith or trust is something outside of you – for the Believer, it is our confidence in what Christ has done, and who Christ is in our lives.

Matthew Henry comments that "There are seven things God hates, and pride is the first, because it is at the bottom of much sin and gives rise to it." I have been reading on leadership (secular articles) and the power of confidence and strengths of the Narcissistic leader. However the negatives of narcissism outweigh the positives and several writers seem to support that successful leaders selectively show their weaknesses ("by exposing some vulnerability, they reveal their approachability and humanity.") This lead me to think about Paul admonition in Philippians where some study of the Greek supports that the "do nothing" translation, though adequate, misses the nuance of "thinking about it" even before doing. God judges the heart - the thoughts. As the Apostle Paul points out in the context of this passage, we can have confidence in who we are because of where we are (“united with Christ”) and therefore, we have a spirit (thought life) of humility, especially toward others.

Powerful stuff that is hard to reconcile with the hard-charging spirit of the times: but it is the CEO who is open to the thoughts of others and their experience, teaching, and word of wisdom that will truly achieve this Biblical mandate for leadership.

I understand struggle of lowliness of mind: for I wrestle with thinking I'm right and "others" have not thought something out as well as I have. Sometimes I express this in my behavior; other times, I just think it. In both cases, I am sinning - for pride is at the foundation of both.

CEOs who lead from humility are indeed rare.  As a person thinks in his heart so is he. Ouch. What are you thinking about?

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell

Get a Grip

Proverbs 3:3-4 (MSG) 3Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. 4Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.

• * Exodus 13:9,16   9"And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. 16So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt."


• 1Proverbs 16:7; 2 John 8:29; 3 Acts 4:19-20 & 1 Thes. 4:1; 4Heb. 13:16 & Phil. 2:3-4

Those in the house of Israel, who lived with a focus on loyalty to the promise of God and love for Him, accepted the Messiah when He was revealed. When their "expectation" was reveled, they rejoiced. To live in "hope and expectation" one first must not lose their grip on love and loyalty.

God, knowing how easily we humans loose hope, instructed His people to physically wear signs of His promises so they would not loose hope. Throughout scripture, this instruction is often give: in Proverbs, there are several reminders to wear attributes of God's faithfulness as "wreaths around [their] forehead," as "ornaments" around [their] necks, as "initials" as it were carved in [their] hearts.

God knows we need to be reminded of His grace. We so easily forget.

But there is more: there is a secret revealed that should give us hope. All humans want to "live well" or as the NIV says, "win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." That's a tall order. Especially in business. Not many achieve the latter - and those that do, in the long run, have achieved the former.

As business people, what are the expectations we can hope to experience when we have a strong grip on love and loyalty? We can expect our enemies to be a peace with us.1 We can expect that God is with us.2 We can expect to behave in a way that the world does not really understand, but God does.3 We can expect to please God by doing "good" among our fellow humans, sharing with others (sometimes out of our poverty) and thinking of others more highly than ourselves.4

Rather extraordinary living. I know that I don't easily live that way - and if and when I do, it sure is not my natural nature that does it: it is Christ in me.  It's that "strong grip" phrase that creates the struggle. If I am to live in hope, I must first live in remembrance of who God is and what He has done: if I don't, I will loose my grip that has eternal consequence on my business, on my family on my life.

What grips you? Is it love and loyalty? If it is, your behavior and reputation will please both man and God.


Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

Leaders Seeking Treasure

Proverbs 2:1-5 (NLV) 1My son, if you receive my sayings and store up my teachings within you, 2make your ear open to wisdom. Turn your heart to understanding. 3If you cry out to know right from wrong, and lift your voice for understanding; 4if you look for her as silver, and look for her as hidden riches; 5then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find what is known of God.

• Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction."


• Matthew 13:44  "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."


• 2 Peter 3:11-13 "11Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."

Treasure hunting captures the imagination. As a young man, I dreamed of finding hidden treasures, reading all I could on pirate treasures, lost gold mines, and the location of religious artifacts. As a young adult, I was part of a group that was preparing to search for Noah's Ark on Ararat but we could not clear the hurdles developed by the Turkish government. In all these fantasies, I was filled with hope for how my life would change upon discovery of treasure hidden and found.

These verses in Proverbs speak of real treasure that can be acquired and its promised reward, which has proven time and again to be not only real, but also a life-changing incentive.

Our constant hope and expectation is for the One who is our treasure. But there is a difference in looking for our Hope and our expectation of finding Wisdom. With our search for understanding, there is an if-then quality. Christ's first coming was in God's time and had little to do with anything mankind was doing to hasten that coming. "When the time was right," scripture tells us. His coming the second time is more like our search of treasure. Our search for the treasure of Wisdom begins with an attitude adjustment – we must learn to “fear-of-the-Lord” for it is the beginning of Wisdom. This adventure of seeing the treasure of Wisdom continues through our lives; for as we become more and more accustomed to "holy conduct and godliness," we learn more and more of God, and our expectation is heightened for seeing Him work today and for His return in the future – a unique combination of Wisdom and Hope.

Our Hope and our behavior will "speed" His second coming. This is one of the great mysteries of Scripture that how we conduct ourselves will usher in a new history for this planet and its inhabitants. As we learn more and more to Fear the Lord, we change our conduct. The first coming changed our relationship with the Creator: the second will change His relationship with what He created and enhance our relationship with Him.

Feels like a treasure to me. A new heaven and new earth – a treasure hunt worth the adventure.

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell     

Just Whom Do You Trust?

Proverbs 1:22 (MSG) "Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance? Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism? Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn?

• (AMP) How long, O simple ones [open to evil], will you love being simple? And the scoffers delight in scoffing and [self-confident] fools hate knowledge?


• Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.


• Psalm 103:5 (NIV) He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.


• Psalm 1: 1- 3 (NIV) Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers, But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Sometimes things don't go as we planned. People disappoint us. We often disappoint ourselves. Life does happen. Sometimes we have no part in the unraveling. Sometimes we do. There are times when we are, well, we are the simpletons.

I have to admit, when I first read those verses, I thought of "them." Not me. But I came back and asked myself, "When have I wallowed in my ignorance and feed my cynicism (however small) and indulged in self-confidence? When have I trusted a "foolish" person instead of the Lord? When have I lived in denial because I refused to learn?"

And I realized that too often I have "loved my simple ways" and "hated knowledge." Study of Scripture was not what came to my mind. Do you relate? I have not always, in every way, been 100% delighting in the law of the Lord or meditating on it day and night. I have not been always a "tree planed by streams of water." I have been like chaff. I have been double-minded - and as James says, a double-minded person is unstable in all his ways.

So, how does a Believer prosper? How do we avoid wallowing in our ignorance?

It begins where we "hang out" and who we look to for guidance and direction. Scoffers and mockers don't all wear signs identifying them. They hide behind good manners. Even often appearing full of care and concern. Filled with seeming generosity. But "they" do not have wisdom. Yet, there are times we foolishly hang on to their words. We want them to be right, despite what God says.

Gaining wisdom is a matter of obedience. Fools abhor obedience. Simpletons do too.  The wise understand that the gaining of knowledge is a matter of submitting to the Word and to counselors who are grounded in The Faith. Wisdom is not a consequence of a quick prayer or "rubbing the heavenly genie bottle." It comes by being "planted." It comes from "walking" with the right folks - From choosing where to "stand." From being intentional about where I "sit."

Trust foolish people - experience disappointment. Trust the faithful Father - expect delight. Should be an easy choice.

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell          3/1/2006