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  • Experiencing God’s Pleasure As His Managers

    Experiencing God’s Pleasure As His Managers

    Whether at the start of a new year or the middle of one – as we are now – it is good not to dwell on the past but to enjoy the present and anticipate a promising future. Our failures, financial and otherwise, are behind us. Of course, our successes are behind us as well. We cannot rest on our laurels. We can approach each day with a clean slate. New opportunities await and there is much yet to be done.

    Our God-given stewardship responsibilities are lifelong. He is the owner, as 1 Chronicles 29:11 tells us: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.” But He has made us managers of what He owns. As Jesus expressed in one of His parables, “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them” (Matthew 25:14). 

    Each of us has been given a small plot where we serve in His vineyard, and we are to labor according to the gifts He has bestowed on us. With respect to financial matters, we are to be diligent in our work (Colossians 3:23-24); wise in our spending (Proverbs 21:20); purposeful in our saving (Proverbs 6:6-8); strategic in our investing (Ecclesiastes 11:2); and generous in our giving (2 Corinthians 9:7). 

    As Christ’s followers we learn how to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17); that is, on His behalf or in His place. That also means learning “to conform to everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). In the Lord’s presence our inner life will be transformed, and we will become the kind of people exhibiting His natural (and supernatural) course of action. In Jesus’ eyes, there is no good reason for not doing what He said to do, because He only tells us to do what is best.

    So, we are to be obedient because that is what disciples do. But that last phrase, “He only tells us to do what is best,” should comfort and encourage us. God has all the best information on what makes for a happy and fulfilling life, and He has given us these prescriptions for our good. 

    And when we use our gifts in obedience, we are doing what we were made to do – glorifying God and helping to advance His kingdom. There is nothing so personally satisfying. We see this in the award-winning film, Chariots of Fire, which tells in part the story of Eric Liddell, a Scot who became a gold medalist at the 1924 Olympics and later a missionary to China. 

    My favorite part of the film is the subplot between Eric and his sister, Jennie, who is concerned his running will take him away from his missionary efforts. In one scene, Eric tells Jennie the good news he has been accepted by the mission society to go to China. Then he adds, “But I’ve got a lot of running to do first. Jennie, Jennie, you’ve got to understand. I believe that God made me for a purpose — for China. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure…. To win is to honor Him.”

    In an emotional moment later, we see Eric in the final moments of his race. With head thrown back, legs pumping, arms flailing, he is exhilarated, having given his best to what he believed God called him to do. God was honored and Eric’s running called attention to, and gathered support for, his mission work.

    There are many ways each of us is called to serve the Lord. Exercising Spirit-led stewardship, properly managing the resources God entrusts to us, is one of them. It is your race. Run it with passion.  

    © 2025. Austin Pryor has 40 years of experience advising investors and is the founder of the Sound Mind Investing newsletter and website. He’s the author of The Sound Mind Investing Handbook which enjoys the endorsements of respected Christian teachers with more than 100,000 copies sold. Austin lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife Susie. They have three grown sons and many grandchildren.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. How does it make you feel to read that God owns “everything in heaven and earth,” which includes your financial resources and all your material possessions? Do you believe that is true? Why or why not?
    2. What do you think it means in a practical, everyday sense to be a steward or manager of what God owns and has entrusted to your care? 
    3. Do you believe it is true that “He only tells us to do what is best”? What about when your  well-considered plans, even things you have prayed about, do not turn out as you expected or had hoped they would?
    4. Have you ever “felt God’s pleasure” while you were doing or pursuing something, as Eric Liddell did, or believed that He had truly called and gifted you to something specific? Explain your answer.           

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 6:6-8, 21:20; Ecclesiastes 11:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Colossians 3:23-24; Hebrews 12:1

    Challenge
    This might be a good week to pause and re-evaluate your attitude toward the things you “own,” considering the biblical teaching that God owns all things and that we are to serve as His stewards or managers of what we have been given.

    It might be helpful to meet with a small group, perhaps your CBMC team if you are in one, or a trusted friend or mentor to discuss your perspectives and have them share their own with you. What changes – if any – do you conclude might be necessary?

    Matt Trayler

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  • Getting Back To The Fundamentals Of Work

    Getting Back To The Fundamentals Of Work

    Vince Lombardi was a legendary coach in American professional football, leading the Green Bay Packers to five championships. He possessed great expertise as a coach, but one principle he always followed was to never forget the basics. Prior to the first practice of every new season, Lombardi would always raise an object in his hand and say, “Men, this is a football.”

    His players knew what a football was. They had already spent many years participating in the sport. But Lombardi understood the importance of never losing sight of the fundamentals, much as a virtuoso pianist continues to practice scales on the keyboard after many years of concert performances.

    In a similar way, for those of us who are called to serve Jesus Christ in the business and professional world, we too should pause from time to time to review and remind ourselves of “the basics” – the ‘why’ of what we do every day in the marketplace. As we enter the second half of the calendar year, here are some of the biblical principles that apply to all of us engaged in the marketplace:

    Whom we ultimately work for. We typically go to work hoping to please and impress our supervisor, manager, CEO, or owner of the company. But we’re told to work as if the nameplate in the boss’s office reads, ‘Jesus Christ.’ “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward” (Colossians 3:23-24).

    Quality of our work. Consider the exquisite detail in which God has designed our world. The wonder and beauty of His work are beyond description. If the Lord demonstrates such excellence in His work, should we not strive to pursue the same excellence as His image-bearers? “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

    Our purpose in work. In God’s eternal plan for this world, He has designed each of us with unique gifts, talents and abilities. All are intended to bring Him honor and reflect His character. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:).

    Fully equipped for our work. Education and training may prepare us to carry out specific job responsibilities, but our ‘guidebook’ for how we are to go about our work is God’s Word, the Bible. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    Who we truly represent. When hired by a company or an organization, we are expected to properly represent our employer. Ultimately, however, as followers of Christ we are to represent the Lord, communicating the saving, life-transforming message of the Gospel to anyone and everyone we encounter. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

    © 2025. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. When you got up this morning to get ready for work, why were you doing it? To earn money to pay the bills; work toward a promotion; engage in something you enjoy doing? Have you ever awakened with the idea, ‘I am going to work for God’? Explain your answer.
    2. How often – if ever – do you review the basics, the fundamentals of what you are doing, whether it involves your working skills, your organization’s mission, or what it requires to excel at a favorite pastime? What might be some benefits of doing that periodically?
    3. Can you think of other principles from the Bible that you have found useful in your everyday work responsibilities? If so, discuss one or two of them. 
    4. What difference does it make whether we consciously approach our work each day from a perspective of being God’s servants and representatives?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 22:29; Ecclesiastes 2:24-25; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 3:20, 4:12 

    Challenge for This Week
    Perceiving our lives and work from the teachings of the Bible is what many people term a “biblical worldview.” Do you think your current worldview and approach to work reflect the principles from the Scriptures? If not, how might you try to change that? Or what areas do you think might need some improvement? 

    This week, consider setting aside time to discuss this with a trusted friend, mentor, or small group of people, seeing in action the principle from Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

    Matt Trayler

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  • ‘Purgamentum Init, Exit Purgamentum’

    ‘Purgamentum Init, Exit Purgamentum’

    The inscription on my new tee shirt, a birthday gift from my daughter, read in big bold letters the Latin phrase, “PURGAMENTUM INIT, EXIT PURGAMENTUM,” an old Latin phrase I came across many years ago. On the shirt, beneath that inscription, it read in smaller red letters, “GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT.” My children heard me state those same words many times as I attempted to influence what they watched on television or at the movies, the kinds of the music they listened to, and the books they read.

    ‘Garbage in, garbage out’ was a phrase popularized during the early days of computers, meaning that if faulty programming were put into them, faulty results would come out. This applies to us as humans, too.

    The human mind is a wonderful and extremely complex computer. In fact, during the earliest days of space exploration, a dedicated group of African American women received the nickname of “computers,” since they were using their minds to compute very complicated mathematical formulas that would make launching men into space possible. Their story is told through the theatrical film, “Hidden Figures.”

    Receiving daily input. However, as with any of today’s electronic computers, what comes out of the human mind is no better than the value or validity of what is programmed into it. We begin receiving data while still in our mother’s womb, and we continue receiving input – information of all kinds – throughout our lives. This vast collection of data shapes our development of the ways we think and respond to the world around us, ultimately our personal worldviews. One’s worldview determines values, and these values in turn influence one’s behavior. In spite of this reality, many of us go through life without ever considering the validity or truth of those things that have shaped our thinking.

    Until I began to read what God, the Creator of all things, had to say in the Bible, I too had never taken time to examine what was influencing my thinking. Whether as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War or a commercial airline pilot, I never paused to wonder, ‘Why do I think the way I do? What factors have served to influence and form my values, opinions, and the things I hold dear?’

    Conformed to this world? However, after becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, I began to read the Word of God and discover statements like this from the apostle Paul, who wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Was the information I was taking in from the media in all its forms conforming me into the “pattern of this world”?

    With the myriads of written publications, television, films, radio, and the Internet, we live in an era of information overload. We are constantly being bombarded with all kinds of data, some of it good, some of it not good at all. After reading Romans 12:2 and other passages from the Scriptures, I realized if I am to maintain clear thinking, my challenge is to sift through all of this information and determine which is valid and based on truth, and which is based solely on the shifting sands of culture and godless values.  

    Finding the way to truth. To effectively make these assessments, I concluded that it is necessary for me – and I believe for all of us – to ensure that we are programming our minds, our ‘computers,’ with what we know to be true. As Jesus said, recorded in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Knowing Him and seeking to follow His teachings in the Bible is the best way to avoid the trap of “purgamentum init, exit purgamentum” – garbage in, garbage out.

    William “Fritz” Klumpp served as a pilot with the U.S. Navy, including numerous combat missions during the Vietnam War. He is a former commercial airline pilot, real estate executive, and Executive Director of CBMC. 

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. When you hear the phrase, “Garbage in, garbage out,” what comes to your mind?
    2. With all the information that’s available to you each day, whether through the print or broadcast media, the Internet or other sources, how do you decide the way you process that data and how it influences you?
    3. What do you think it means to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind”? How does this differ from being “conformed to the pattern of this world”?
    4. Jesus Christ claimed that He is “the way, the truth and the life.” How can or should this declaration affect how we approach each workday – the job assignments we handle, the people we meet and interact with, our overall goals and objectives, the way we assess truth?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: 
    2 Corinthians 10:2-5; Philippians 4:8; Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:2-10; 1 Peter 1:13-14

    Challenge for This Week
    This week, find someone you can talk with candidly – a trusted friend or advisor, mentor, or accountability group – and together evaluate how you are doing in terms of “purgamentum init, exit purgamentum”: garbage in, garbage out.

    Consider what steps you are taking to ensure that your natural computer – your mind – is being filled with the right kinds of programming, the right data to enable you to be and to become the person that God wants you to be.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Five Steps To Fruitful Networking

    Five Steps To Fruitful Networking

    Recently, a young banker told me that he had been hired to get involved in the community by networking – making connections with prospective customers. But he was not sure how to do this. So, I thought it might be helpful to consider successful strategies for networking, along with relevant biblical principles.  

    The first step to remember in networking is Being Targeted. Many networking groups and opportunities can be a waste of time because they are not focused properly. I found my best customers in banking were chief financial officers and controllers. As a former certified public accountant, joining an association for accounting professionals helped me target the best prospects and resulted in many new accounts. 

    Proverbs 12:26 teaches, “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” To be fruitful with your networking time, choose your groups and friends wisely. 

    When it comes to networking, there are many groups we could join, but the best results typically come from the second step to fruitful networking: Getting Involved. Networking groups, service clubs, and other community-minded groups need leadership. People willing to become actively involved typically get noticed. When you become involved, the attention you receive can lead to new business opportunities. By serving in a leadership role, you will become better known, and if you serve well, better trusted. 

    In 1 Timothy 3:13 we are told, “Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” To maximize time spent networking, take a leadership role. 

    The third step to fruitful networking is Being Relational. If you have engaged in many networking opportunities, you have likely met people who are more transactional in nature. They are always giving business cards to anyone who will take one and seeking ways to promote their services. However, you will not typically see them talking with someone in depth to build a genuine relationship. 

    We all typically prefer doing business with people we know and trust. The best way to build that trust is by building personal relationships. Proverbs 22:11 says, “One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.”

    The fourth step is Being Curious. My very sociable wife, Kathy, has helped me in this area. She is naturally curious about people, always asking questions to learn more about them. Kathy has taught me to find out about other people’s families, hobbies and work, but not to stop there. She also taught me to be curious about what motivates them, seeking to discover their passions. Hebrews 13:2 teaches, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” 

    The final step for successful networking is Meeting the Needs of Others. Everyone has needs but identifying those requires seeking to understand people and listening carefully for their biggest concerns. Ephesians 4:29 teaches, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” After listening and learning about the needs of others, then do what you can to serve their needs.

    © 2025, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. Visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. How important is networking for the work you do? Is it something you enjoy – or is it something you would rather avoid? Explain your answer.
    2. When you are trying to make connections with people for business or career purposes, how effective are you in targeting the types of people you want to meet?
    3. How easy is it for you to get involved with groups or organizations, ones in which you have particular interest? What are some obstacles that keep you from becoming more involved as an active participant? 
    4. Two of the networking steps cited are being curious and meeting the needs of others. How might these two be tied together in fruitful, rewarding ways? 

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:  Proverbs 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34-35; Philippians 2:3-4

    Challenge for This Week
    Networking – actively seeking to build productive relationships with others – can prove to be beneficial in many ways. Even if you are not as sociable as some other people, we all have been designed by God for relationships.

    This week try to think of ways you can expand your sphere of influence and expand the network of people with whom you interact regularly. If you know of someone who is better at this than you are, ask that person for some helpful advice and suggestions.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Having Clear Values Simplifies Decision-Making

    Having Clear Values Simplifies Decision-Making

    What influences your decision-making? Is it determining how to maximize gains and minimize losses? Is it expedience, choosing what seems most advantageous for yourself, or for your company or organization? Is it based on appearances – what will present you in the best light to those important to you? 

    In my years of working with executives and corporate leaders, I found many had at least one document that served as a rudder for guiding their companies. Most had a “mission statement” which articulated what they did – their purpose for existing. Some also had a “vision statement” that expressed where they saw themselves going. Perhaps most revealing of all was a “values statement” that stated underlying principles and values to undergird not only what they did but also how they would do it – and why.

    Roy Disney was the brother of the late Walt Disney, the creative genius whose vision ultimately led to the multi-billion-dollar entertainment conglomerate of films, cartoons, TV shows and dazzling theme parks. As co-founder of the Walt Disney Company, Roy Disney stated, “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” To put it another way, in making decisions, pre-determined values should not only direct present and future operations but also serve to eliminate options and enticements that do not align with those values.

    This sounds good, but how does articulating the values an individual or company embraces affect actions and decision-making in a practical sense? Values may differ from one person to another, or from one business to the next, but for people who seek to integrate their faith with the work they do every day, one trusted guide should be the Bible – the Word of God. For example:

    For establishing priorities. Jesus Christ was asked, “‘What is the greatest commandment…?’” He replied, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’” (Matthew 22:36-40). 

    Considering what Jesus declared, how should our business practices reflect these two all-encompassing commands? How should an organization be operated to demonstrate love of God is first and foremost? And how should customers – employees, suppliers, buying customers and clients – be treated to show that we love them as we love ourselves?

    For governing behavior. The Ten Commandments, stated twice in the Old Testament (Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21), itemize specific ways for loving and honoring God as well as interacting with other people in a godly manner. They speak of worship, avoiding idolatry, proper speech, avoiding overwork, reverence for parents, and prohibitions against such things as murder, sexual immorality, theft, dishonesty, and jealously desiring what other people have.

    For valuing what God values. What does a godly business or professional person look like? One answer is to value what the Lord values, as stated in Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Doing this may be harder than it sounds, but these summarize what He values.

    © 2025. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. As you understand it, what is the difference between a mission statement, a vision statement, and a values statement? Does your company or organization have one or more of these? If so, how are they used – if at all? 
    2. Have you ever sat down to articulate your personal values, those principles that guide and govern your own actions and decisions? What do you consider to be the values that are honored where you work?
    3. Is it reasonable to think the greatest and second greatest commandments can be consistently observed and obeyed in the marketplace of the 21st century? Why or why not?
    4. How do you think today’s workplace would look different if everyone strived to align with the 10 commandments in their daily decisions and operations? What if the command to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” were widely applied in work settings?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Hosea 6:6; Zechariah 7:9-10; Proverbs 21:3; Matthew 6:19-21,33-34, 23:23

    Challenge for This Week
    Try to take some time this week and think about values – your own and those of the company or organization you lead or work for. Can you clearly state what those values are? If not, try writing them down. Then evaluate how well you and your company are living out those values.

    You might find it beneficial to discuss this with key leaders or employees. A mentor or trusted advisor might also prove helpful in clarifying important values and how they can and should be demonstrated through your life and work.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Establishing A God-Honoring Business

    Establishing A God-Honoring Business

    Every individual entering the marketplace possesses certain skills and abilities bestowed by God, enabling them to establish a foothold in a competitive environment. However, when everything is going well, it is easy to become self-assured, even prideful, and gradually drift away from God. This is akin to Lot in the Bible’s Old Testament, gradually moving his tent toward the sinful city of Sodom, ultimately leading to his downfall.

    When facing difficulties in business, we have two choices: to rely solely on people, or to depend on the Almighty God. Jeremiah 17:5-8 describes the different outcomes of these choices: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord… But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream…and never fails to bear fruit.”

    In 1972, shortly after my company was established, Everlight Chemical was confronted with the global oil crisis, putting the business in a difficult position. At that time, some people suggested that we appoint a legislator as our company’s chairman to secure support from banks for financing. I had to choose between relying on people and trusting in God, and chose to rely on God’s guidance and provision.

    When I was young, a missionary from Canada had encouraged us to rely on God, using those verses from Jeremiah 17. She emphasized that doing so would enable us to flourish and bear fruit abundantly in our lives. This passage of Scripture had a profound impact on me, leading me to choose to depend on God rather than on people.

    In 1988, Everlight Chemical successfully went public on the Taiwan stock market. While preparing the script for the stock-listing presentation, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude toward God and decided to include a statement: “Conducting business according to the truths revealed in the Bible will surely lead to God’s blessings and success.” Since then, in Everlight Chemical’s profile and press releases we have consistently highlighted that we are a company that strives to bear witness to God.

    At the CBMC World Convention in 1997, I learned that the purpose of Christian business differs from non-Christian enterprises in that it aims to “glorify God.” This understanding clarified for me that the mission of a Christian business is not only to bear witness to God but also to bring glory to Him.

    Everlight Chemical has faced many challenges in the high-tech industry; however, we have chosen to rely on God and entrust the success of our business to Him. Thanks to God’s grace, direction and faithful provision, we have been blessed with talent, wisdom, and great customers, allowing many new ventures to gradually turn from losses to profits.

    I believe the success of our company is undoubtedly a manifestation of God’s grace. As stated in Micah 6:8, we are “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Walking with the Lord and establishing an intimate relationship with Him enable us to remain steadfast in the ever-changing marketplace and to bear witness to Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

    Ding-Chuan Chen – D. C. Chen – is the founder of Everlight Chemical, a publicly listed advanced dye and high-tech chemical company in Taiwan. The company currently operates subsidiaries in six countries worldwide and has more than 1,800 employees. He is the author of “Ever Admire the Light” and “Higher Ground”; has been a member of CBMC for more than 50 years; serves as the Honorary Chairman of CBMC Taiwan and has previously held the positions of Chairman for both CBMC Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as an International Director of CBMC. He actively participates in various Christian ministries and charitable organizations.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. What different outcomes can arise from choosing to rely on people rather than relying on God when a business faces challenges?
    2. Have you ever felt prideful due to the smooth operation of your business, leading you to become self-reliant and to drift away from God? If so, what impact has this had on your business or your life?
    3. In what ways can the success of a business serve as a testament to or glorify God? How do you practice this in your daily operations?
    4. In your life, what individuals or events have encouraged you to rely more on God – through their example or their counsel? Describe the influence they have had on you?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Jeremiah 17:5-8; Psalm 145:9-16, 97:7-11, 113:1-4; Matthew 6:25-34

    Challenge for This Week
    In the coming week, take some time to reflect on how you rely on God in your work and daily life. Record some of the decisions you make each day and assess whether those decisions have been based on reliance on God or on others.If you discover that you are leaning too much on people while neglecting God in certain areas, consider sharing this with a mentor or a trusted friend for mutual encouragement and growth. If you have not yet found the right person to support your spiritual growth, pray for guidance in seeking a spiritual partner who can help you pursue a life goal that glorifies God together. If you are a member of a CBMC team, perhaps you can find that person there.

    Matt Trayler

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  • What Are Your Ultimate Goals?

    What Are Your Ultimate Goals?

    As business and professional people, what we do is governed at least in part by goals: Sales or productivity goals; daily goals; project goals; financial goals; career goals. You could probably add to the list. But have you ever thought in terms of life goals, the ultimate goal for your life?

    Recently I viewed a brief video in which a pastor described a meeting with a businessman in his congregation. The businessman planned to leave the church because the pastor had offended him by something said in his sermon. The pastor asked about what had seemed so offensive.

    The businessman recalled the pastor had commented it was unwise for someone to strive to make as much money as possible, then move to a popular retirement area and spend the rest of his life playing golf. The businessman was offended because that was what he intended to do – as soon as possible.

    In response, the pastor suggested the businessman was trivializing his life, devoting the rest of his life to chasing a ball around a golf course instead of using his God-given gifts and experience to be an influence on people. He said, “When you give your life to Jesus Christ, He calls you to be an influencer – to use your power, abilities and talents to influence the world around you for good, making it a better place.”

    Too often we spend our work hours eagerly awaiting the weekend. We spend our careers anxiously anticipating retirement so we can ‘finally do what I want to do.’ Have you ever considered that what you do at work, where you are currently doing it, is precisely what God wants you to do?

    The entire Bible mentions retirement only once. In the Old Testament book of Numbers it says of the Levites, the ceremonial priests of Israel, “at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves must not do the work” (Numbers 8:25-26). God had a succession plan for the priests who performed the ritual sacrifices, but even then, the “retired” priests were to continue assisting those who had taken their place.

    We all are unique, having different interests, skills, life experiences, and for followers of Jesus Christ, spiritual gifts that God intends for us to use for His divine purposes. As Colossians 3:23-24 states so clearly, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

    There are times for rest and relaxation, as we have discussed in past editions of Monday Manna. But having a life goal of working only long enough to amass enough resources to be able to withdraw from the world and engage all our waking hours in activities of no eternal impact makes little sense.

    In His so-called “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus spoke of focusing on things that will last for eternity: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20). Golf, or whatever pastime we choose, may be enjoyable, but we are unlikely to find much treasure there that will last for eternity.

    © 2025. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. Can you identify with the businessman who is striving to earn as much money as possible so he can retreat to a nice retirement area and spend the rest of his life pursuing his favorite hobby? Explain your answer.
    2. Do you believe the talents, skills, and abilities you have ultimately were given to you by God, meaning you are responsible for faithfully stewarding them for God’s glory? Why or why not?
    3. Assuming you do believe that what you bring to the workplace – including spiritual gifts and experience accumulated over years in the marketplace – ultimately have been entrusted to you by God, how should that affect your approach to your job every day?
    4. Jesus spoke about “laying up treasures in heaven” rather than “treasures on earth.” What do you think He meant? What do you think this looks like, practically speaking?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12;11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 6:7; Colossians 3:17

    Challenge for This Week
    When you wake up each day and prepare to go to work, does the idea that “whatever you do, do your work as for the Lord” ever come to your mind? If so, how does this affect your attitude and approach to what you will be doing?

    Try to find some time this week to discuss this with a close friend, trusted advisor, mentor, or accountability group to get their input into what this means in a practical sense. If you admit you have been like the businessman who intends to devote his retirement years to what might be considered ‘trivial pursuits,’ share with them your thoughts based on what you have read in this week’s Monday Manna.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Visionary Leader’s Secret: Showing Up In The Moment

    Visionary Leader’s Secret: Showing Up In The Moment

    Visionary leadership is a term that gets thrown around a lot these days. In a fast-moving, globalized world, leaders are expected to anticipate the future, set bold directions, and shape organizations that thrive in a rapidly changing marketplace. Richard Stearns, former CEO of World Vision, once said, “A leader must define the current reality, articulate a desired future, identify a way forward, and personally ‘own’ the vision.” And he is right – without vision, leadership becomes reactive rather than proactive. The best leaders see not only what is but also what could be.

    And yet, this presents a hidden danger: Leaders so consumed by the future can easily lose sight of the people right in front of them. There is a paradox at the heart of leadership: to truly shape the future, one must be fully present in the now.

    The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” That is not a command to those with flexible schedules or abundant free time – it is an essential trait of Christian leadership. If leaders are too absorbed in strategy, too fixated on long-term outcomes, they will fail to notice the joys and sorrows of those they are called to serve. And when people feel unseen, they disengage. They will not follow a leader who appears distant, even if that leader has a compelling vision for the future.

    This is where many leaders stumble. They believe their primary calling is to cast vision – to inspire, to strategize, to set bold goals. But the Bible suggests leadership is not merely about direction – it is about presence. Colossians 3:14 reminds us to “put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Love is not just a virtue to cultivate in personal life; it is the glue that holds together an organization, a team, a community.

    And love, at its core, requires presence. Showing up in the moment. Leaders who truly lead well do more than articulate the mission; they walk alongside their people. They listen before they speak. They notice the exhaustion in an employee’s voice. They recognize the quiet victories worth celebrating. They see people, not just productivity.

    Jesus Christ embodied this. As the ultimate visionary leader, He did not simply arrive with a grand vision of redemption – He walked among the people. He touched lepers. He dined with sinners. He wept at Lazarus’ tomb. He did not merely announce salvation; He lived among those He came to save.

    Here is the irony: a leader too obsessed with the future may never actually get there. People do not follow vision alone. They follow those who know them, who love them, who walk with them. The best leaders are not only visionaries; they are shepherds.

    To lead well is to love well. And to love well is to be fully present. Leadership is not just about taking people somewhere; it is about being with them on the way. And in doing so, we reflect Christ, the ultimate servant-leader, who did not remain distant but entered our world, walked our streets, and called us to something greater. If we want to lead like Him, we must learn to do the same.

    © 2025. Christopher C. Simpson is dedicated to fostering a bold and triumphant Christian faith within the global marketplace, driven by a deep conviction in the Gospel’s transformative power. Before becoming President of CBMC International, Chris dedicated 28 years to a distinguished career in the public sector – as a Commanding Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps; and serving in the U. S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting seven American presidents and leading elite teams in complex, high-stakes international missions. With his wife Ana, a native of Nicaragua, and their three children, Chris resides in Boca Raton, Florida. 

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. How can a leader balance the tension between casting a vision for the future and being fully present with the people he or she leads?
    2. Paul instructs us in Romans 12:15 to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” What practical steps can leaders take to cultivate and demonstrate genuine empathy and engagement in their daily leadership?
    3. Jesus modeled leadership by walking among His people rather than leading from a distance. What are some modern leadership habits or mindsets that can unintentionally create distance between leaders and their teams?
    4. The article states, “A leader who is too obsessed with the future may never actually get there.” How have you seen this play out in leadership, either in your own experience or in others? What are ways to ensure that vision does not come at the expense of presence – not being readily available to people when needed?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 27:23-27; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 22:26-27; Ephesians 6:7-9; Philippians 2:3-4

    Challenge for This Week
    If God has placed you in a leadership role, whether it is as CEO of a company, a vice president, manager of a department, or leader of a small team, how would you evaluate yourself in terms of “showing up in the moment”?

                Are you too preoccupied with goals and objectives, striving toward the future, that you ignore or neglect the people who work around you every day? It might be helpful to ask a friend, a trusted advisor, or an accountability group to help in assessing how effective you are as a leader in demonstrating your concern and care for their needs. If you find yourself deficient in this respect, what steps might you take to be “fully present in the now”?

    Matt Trayler

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  • Negotiating Agreements God’s Way

    Negotiating Agreements God’s Way

    Business negotiations are fraught with opportunities to turn into stressful experiences. To help in reducing this tension, I have learned five guiding principles on how best to negotiate agreements. The first principle is: Clearly define your desired outcome from the transaction. Recently, Rod needed to hire a new videographer. He examined his budget and considered the maximum value he could afford to pay. Even though his preferred new vendor quoted a higher price, because of Rod’s research, he was able to counter the price and strike a mutually beneficial deal.  

    One day religious leaders asked Jesus about the greatest commandments. Jesus responded, “The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Researching and knowing a fair outcome for yourself is a way of loving yourself, so that you can also love others well.

    The second principle is: Avoid negotiating with those you cannot trust. A previous bank customer of mine was represented by a chief financial officer who was very manipulative. This CFO would use his other bank relationships to pressure us to give him a better deal. We agreed to better pricing until I learned that the CFO had been lying to me. When I realized I could not trust him, I refused to negotiate our terms any longer. If it had been up to me, I would have terminated the relationship. Proverbs 12:22 teaches, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” If you cannot trust someone, any agreement will likely become meaningless later.

    The third principle is: Understand the other parties’ needs and concerns. In the Bible’s Old Testament, the story of Boaz’s pursuit to marry Naomi’s daughter-in-law, Ruth, is an example of shrewd negotiating. Because of Jewish law, one person had first rights to redeem Naomi’s land and marry Ruth. Boaz considered the situation and the impact on the other potential redeemer. He introduced the subject by highlighting that negative impact. The potential redeemer declined, enabling Boaz to marry Ruth.  Proverbs 3:13 teaches, “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.” By gaining understanding and knowledge of the other party’s needs, you likely will have a favorable outcome.

    The fourth principle is: Always work toward a mutually beneficial, “win/win” agreement. Stan was a bank customer who believed he always needed to win all points of every negotiation, making the bank the loser and his business the winner.  Stan won occasional battles, but that did not bode well for a fruitful long-term relationship. I began dreading negotiations with Stan; out of frustration, I was not as generous as I could have been. In Philippians 2:3, the apostle Paul wrote, “In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” God prefers that we focus on win/win solutions rather than ignoring the needs of the other party.

    The final principle is: Lean toward being generous. In the biblical story of Joseph, Egypt had seven years of famine. To afford to buy food, all Egyptians sold their land to Pharoah. The Egyptian king, however, needed them to farm the land, so Joseph worked out a win/win sharecropping arrangement.  

    We see in Genesis 47:24 that Joseph told the Egyptians, “But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children.” By only requiring 20 percent for Pharoah, Joseph received favor from the Egyptians and provided them the opportunity to create wealth both for themselves and for Pharoah.

    © 2025, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. Visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. How do you typically feel when you are about to engage in negotiations, whether with a client, your supervisor, or an employee? Do you find it stressful? Why or why not?
    2. When you are negotiating, do you usually know your desired outcome – or do you just go into it hoping for some kind of acceptable resolution? Explain your answer.
    3. What are your thoughts about striving to arrive at a “win/win,” mutually beneficial agreement when engaging in negotiations?
    4. The final recommended principle for negotiating agreements is to lean toward being generous. As you understand it, what does that mean? What are some potential problems or challenges in trying to do this? 

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 12:19, 16:11; Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:26; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5 

    Challenge for This Week
    During the coming week, try to think back on times when you have engaged in negotiations. How well did you align with the five negotiating principles presented in this week’s Monday Manna? Did you strive for a mutually beneficial, win/win outcome – or was your goal only to maximize your own interests.

    If negotiating effectively seems to be a challenge for you, it might help to seek feedback from a friend, mentor, or small group in which you can discuss your thoughts and concerns candidly.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Recognizing and Overcoming Perils of Pride

    Recognizing and Overcoming Perils of Pride

    Recently as I was watching an interview with comedian and legendary talk show host Jay Leno, he commented about being a big believer in low self-esteem. He explained his perspective that if he begins to think he knows more than the next person, he is in trouble. Leno also observed that if we start to believe we know everything, that means we have decided to stop learning.

    When Leno was hosting “The Tonight Show,” for example, he would never try to tell the lighting people or sound people how to do their job, something he had seen some TV hosts attempt to do. He reasoned that if a person was a lighting director for a major network TV show, they were the best at their job. It would be foolish to try telling them how to position the lights.

    As business leaders, community leaders or political leaders, our job is to find the best people for each role and then listen to them. As soon as we start thinking that we are the smartest person in the room, we are inviting disaster. In the Bible, Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” In other words, pride always foretells destruction. 

    Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” It does not get much clearer than that. Pride – or boasting about ourselves or our accomplishments – never ends well. This is a consistent theme throughout the Bible, as well as in secular wisdom throughout the ages.

    When we hear somebody bragging about how smart they are, boasting about how much they know, it should always be a signal to take caution. In reality, they might be just talking to themselves trying to overcome their fear and insecurities about their own shortcomings.

    But some people counter with, “Shouldn’t we be proud of our work, our kids, or our favorite team?” Bestowing praise and showing pride about the accomplishments of others is not the same as taking credit that others deserve, or assuming we were the only ones responsible for any success that is achieved.

    To be successful at whatever we do, we must be continual learners. The faster the world changes, the better students we need to be. Pride, however, often prevents us from learning. Because learning requires that we put ourselves in a place where someone else is the master teacher or mentor. 

    We must admit there are things we do not know or are not skilled at doing. As Proverbs 13:10 tells us, “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” We can always find people who are smarter, more skilled, or simply better at doing certain things than we are.

    Having been an entrepreneur, self-employed person and sometimes freelance worker, I have discovered we need to spend half of our time learning and improving our skills. If we have only six hours to chop down a tree, three of those hours are best used sharpening the ax – learning to improve ourselves. 

    As Ecclesiastes 10;10 in the Bible’s Old Testament states, “If the ax is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.” Spending time bragging about how skilled we are with that ax is just not going to cut it – both literally and figuratively.

    © 2025. Jim Mathis is a writer, photographer, musician and small business owner in Overland Park, Kansas. His latest book is The Camel and the Needle, A Christian Looks at Wealth and Money. He formerly was a coffee shop manager, as well as executive director of CBMC in Kansas City, U.S.A.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. Have you ever worked with – or for – someone who seemed to know better than anyone else about practically everything? If so, what is it like to work with an individual like that?
    2. What do you think about Jay Leno’s suggestion that having “low self-esteem” is a good thing, meaning being able to realize that others might be better at doing some things than we are? 
    3. Do you consider yourself to be a continual learner, a person who is eager to discover new insights and understanding about many things – recognizing you do not ‘know it all’? 
    4. How do you respond to people who demonstrate genuine humility, who seem to put others ahead of themselves and recognize the value and contributions of people they work with?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 15;33, 16:5, 18:12, 21:4, 21:24, 22:4; Philippians 2:3-4; Romans 12;10; James 4:6

    Challenge for This Week
    The Bible declares that “money is a root of many kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10), but some theologians have suggested that pride ultimately is the basis for every sin, including the love of money. Because pride causes people to desire more and more.

    Is pride an issue for you? It can manifest itself in many forms, including insisting that we know best about virtually everything. It also can involve selfishness, self-promotion, self-centeredness, and many other ways of exalting self. If you find yourself wrestling with pride – and most of us do, to some extent – find someone to talk with about this, even being willing to accept their advice and their prayers.

    Matt Trayler

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