Advising Those in Authority

Do IT Right Verses

Count The Cost / Lk 14:28 / Who does not count the cost before you build a tower?
Build on a Solid Foundation / Lk 6:47-49 / Parable of man who digs deep, builds house on a solid foundation, verses man who builds house on sand
Advising Those In Authority / When They Are Not Working on What They Should Be, In the Wrong / Ex 18:19-23 / Jethro gives very good, in depth advice to Moses about organizing things others help Moses bear the burden.
At end, says, “[only do this] if God command thee so”
7/31/06: Crossmark experience: Often, God will reveal to us what top management should be working on, but they will not engage.
All we can do, like Jethro, is present the business case, and let them do what they think is right. I also believe we need to make them aware that 6 months to a year later, they will probably still be facing the same problem, unresolved.
I have started keeping track of these predictions and circling back in 3-6 months to see if they are still dealing with the same problems.
Crafty Men / Telling You what You Want to Hear / 1 Kings 12 / Rehoboam’s older counselors, who had served Solomon, advised that he deal gently with the people. Rehoboam’s young counselors, his friends, pumped up his go and said, “deal harshly.” Cost Rehoboam the kingdom. (Note – this was brought about by God.)
Heart of the Enemy / Shuck and Jive / Daniel 2 / 2:9 Neb.’s advisors conspire to lie, stall him, and hope situation changes.
Discipline / Why It Must be Maintained / Esther 1 / Queen Vashti refused to appear at King Ahasu-erus’ command. The King’s advisors said, “Not only has Queen…done wrong to King…but also to the princes and all the peoples…this deed will be known to all women, and they will look with contempt upon their husbands. This day the ladies…will be telling it to all the King’s princes, and there will be contempt and wrath in plenty.”
Disagreeing, How To / Jerusalem Conference, Model for Dealing with Big Issue / Acts 15 / Describes the handling of the large issue of requiring gentiles to be circumcised and obey the law of Moses.
Significant disagreement, in good faith, between Paul, Barnabus, the disciples, the Apostles, etc.
Sent people to Jerusalem, sought God and what was right, heard everyone out, came to one accord. Laid no greater burden on the gentiles than to abstain from blood, food offered to idols and unchastity.
Gentiles received the decision with joy.
Ungodly Man, Attributes / Mouth Does Damage / Prov. 17 / Does Not Speak in Excellence
Ungodly Man, Attributes / Plans Evil / Prov. 17 / Listens to Evil
Pleasure Only in his own Opinion / Opinionated, Mouth Does Damage / Prov. 18 / Dishonor, Disgrace, Words bring Strife,
Mouth invites Punishment
Consequences / Folly brings Ruin / Prov. 19 / Rages against God
Brings Ruin to Parents
Godly Man, Attributes / Discipline / Prov. 19 / Accepts Discipline and Reproof
Godly Man, Attributes / Forgives / Prov. 19 / Overlooks Offense
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Expected to Seek / Prov. 19 / Gets Wisdom, Helps himself by Getting Wisdom
Ungodly Man, Attributes / Perverse Talk, Reject Righteousness, Walk in Darkness, Delight in doing Evil, Follow Crooked Ways, Devious, Adulterers, try to snare others / Prov. 2:12-17 / Perverse Talk, Reject Righteousness, Walk in Darkness, Delight in doing Evil, Follow Crooked Ways, Devious, Adulterers, try to snare others
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Expected to Seek / Prov. 2:1-4 / “…seek it like silver…”
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Blessings of / Prov. 2:5-14 / Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom, a Shield, Protection from the Unrighteous, Discernment, Equity, Good Things, Discretion
Godly Man, Attributes / Companions , Caution / Prov. 20 / Stays Away from Fools
Godly Man, Attributes / Not Relying On Own Judgment, Strength / Prov. 20 / May not understand, is not concerned about not understanding, God orders his steps
Godly Man, Attributes / Actively Speaks, Seeks and Delights in Life, Wisdom, Good / Prov. 21 / Righteousness
Godly Man, Attributes / Actively Speaks, Seeks and Delights in Life, Wisdom, Good / Prov. 21 / Listens and Speaks Faithfully, Does not Fear
Godly Man, Attributes / Watch Mouth, Think Before Speak / Prov. 21 / Guards Mouth, Avoids Trouble
Ungodly Man, Attributes / Cultivates Appearance of Boldness, Charge-ahead, “I know what I’m Doing”, Presuming Authority / Prov. 21 / Nothing Can Prevent The Lord’s Consequences
ENTIRE CHAPTER IS GREAT ASSESSMENT OF THE BULL-HEADED, AGGRESSIVE, SELF ORIENTED, ARROGANT, MARGINALLY SKILLED WESTERN EXECUTIVE MINDSET!
Ungodly Man, Attributes / Practices Appearance of Righteousness, Religion / Prov. 21 / Abomination to God
Ungodly Man, Attributes / Won’t Help the Poor / Prov. 21 / Doesn’t Get Help When in Need
Godly Man, Attributes / Diligent, Prudent, Integrity / Prov. 22 / Prudent, Able to Avoid Danger
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Blessings of / Prov. 22 / Fear of the Lord, Riches, Long Life
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Blessings of / Prov. 22 / Pure Heart, King as Friend
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Blessings of / Prov. 22 / Gracious Lips, King as Friend
Superior, Dealing With / Correct Answer / Prov. 22 / Words of Wise & God’s Knowledge on Lips, Pleasantness, Trust is in the Lord, able to give correct answer to superior
Ungodly Man, Attributes / Faithless / Prov. 22 / Words Overthrown by God
Godly Man, Attributes / Actively Speaks, Seeks and Delights in Life, Wisdom, Good / Prov. 23 / Lives & Speaks Wisdom & Righteousness
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Expected to Seek / Prov. 23 / Seek Instruction & Knowledge & Understanding
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Blessings of / Prov. 24 / Future, Hope
Falls Seven Times and Rises Again
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Blessings of / Prov. 24 / Honor and Obeys the Lord and the King, Avoids Sudden Disaster
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Expected to Seek / Prov. 24 / Seeks Wisdom as Body loves Honey!
Godly Man, Attributes / Discipline, Accepts from Lord / Prov. 3:11,12 / Accept the Lord’s Discipline and reproof, Realize that the Lord disciplines those He loves,
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Expected to Seek / Prov. 3:1-3 / Continue to Seek Wisdom, Kindness
and Truth
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Expected to Seek / Prov. 3:13,14, 21 / Exhorted to …”Keep Sound Wisdom, Keep Discretion… let them not escape from you sight...”
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Blessings of / Prov. 3:13-26 / Generally Blessed, Profiting more than gold or silver or jewels, Long Life, Riches, Honor, Pleasant Ways, Peace, Life (II), Happiness (II), Adornment, Security, Not Stumbling, Not Fearing when Sleeping, Sweet Sleep, Not Afraid of sudden Terror or the Wicked, Not snared, Confident in the Lord
Ungodly Man, Penalty / Prov. 3:32
Prov. 3:33 Prov. 3:34 Prov. 3:35 / Crooked men are an abomination to the Lord
House of Wicked is Cursed
God Scoffs at Scoffers
Dishonor will be displayed
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Blessings of / Prov. 3:32 Prov. 3:33 Prov. 3:34 Prov. 3:35 / Intimacy with the Lord
House if Blessed
Grace to the Afflicted
Inherit Honor
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Blessings of / Prov. 3:4,6,8,10 / Favor with God, Favor with Men, God will make your paths straight, Healing, Refreshment, Material Blessings
Godly Man, Attributes / Fear the Lord / Prov. 3:7 / Told to “Fear the Lord”
Godly Man, Attributes / Slander a Servant to his Master, Does Not / Prov. 30 / Avoids Wrath, Guilt
Godly Man, Attributes / Companions, Caution / Prov. 4:14-17 / Do Not Follow Wicked Men (4 times)
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Expected to Seek / Prov. 4:1-7 / Instruction to get Wisdom and
Understanding (7 times)
Godly Man, Attributes / Direction Is Clear / Prov. 4:18-27 / Path gets brighter and brighter until fully illuminated, Deceitful mouth is far away, Eyes look straight Ahead
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Expected to Seek / Prov. 4:8-23 / You will be exalted, Honor, Grace, Beauty, Long Life, Walk in Upright Paths, Not stumbling, Unimpeded, Path, Life (II), Health
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Blessings of / Prov. 6 / Guidance, Protection, Direction and Communion, Receive Correction when in Error, Life, Light, Kept from the snares of the Adulteress
Ungodly Man, Attributes / Liar Attributes / Prov. 6:12-15 / Calamity will come suddenly and they will be broken beyond healing
Liars, Worthless and Wicked Men, Users of hidden signals, those continually devising evil, spreader of strife:
Ungodly Man, Attributes / Abominations, 7 / Prov. 6:16-19 / Arrogance, Lying, Shedding innocent blood (preying on the innocent), Hearts that plan evil, Those that are quick to do evil, Spreading Strife, A false Witness
Seven Abominations Before God
Godly Man, Attributes / Accepts Instruction / Prov. 6:20-21 / Instruction to Receive instruction in Right Behavior (4 times)
Godly Man, Attributes / Diligent, Proactive / Prov. 6:6-11 / Be proactive, doing the right things. Even ants do the right things (e.g. prepares and gathers food) without chief, officer or ruler
Godly Man, Attributes / Hates Evil / Prov. 8:13 / is the Fear of the Lord
Godly Man, Attributes / Opposes Pride, Arrogance, Evil / Prov. 8:13 Prov. 8:22-31 / Opposed to Pride, Arrogance, Evil, Perverted Speech God created at the very beginning
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Blessings of / Prov. 8:14-21 / Counsel, Insight, Strength, Kings, Rulers, & Nobles reign through Wisdom, Riches and honor, Wealth and Prosperity, Righteousness (2 times), Better than Gold and Silver
Godly Man, Attributes / Fear of the Lord / Prov. 9:10 / Equals Wisdom, Insight
Ungodly Man, Attributes / Scoffer / Prov. 9:12 / You will pay the Price
Godly Man, Attributes / Wisdom, Expected to Seek / Prov. 9:1-6 / Wisdom Actively Seeks us!
Ungodly Man, Attributes / Rich man thinks his wealth will protect him / Proverbs 18
Business / Getting in to See Powerful / High Up People / Proverbs 18:16 / Approach powerful people with something of value
(A Business Case?) Scripture uses word “gift”
Business / King (Boss, Authority) can destroy or bless / Proverbs 19
Business / Need for Skill Development / Proverbs 19 / A fool or hireling may aspire to rule, but is against God’s law
Consequences / Seeking Rewards for Doing Something other than What is Right / Proverbs 19 / What are consequences when management does evil such that the workers are actually damaged (short term) by ungodly conduct?
e.g.
- Loyalty (get fired without notice)
- CTP sequence of events
Planning / Man’s Plans / Proverbs 19 / A man makes plans, but God’s purpose will be accomplished
Consequences / The Pursuer of Righteousness will be blessed while the Pursuer of Evil will be cut off / Proverbs 2 / (theme)
Appearances / Discerning / Proverbs 20 / Your acts make your nature known -- undeniably!
Business / King (Boss, Authority) can destroy or bless / Proverbs 20 / Provoking those in authority is deadly
Business / Shortcuts / Proverbs 20 / Hasty wealth (inheritance) will not be blessed long term
Godly Man, Attributes / God is the source of insight, wisdom, discernment / Proverbs 20
Instruction to Seek Wisdom / Knowledge is more precious than gold and jewels / Proverbs 20
Negotiation / Draw Out Intent / Proverbs 20 / Intent and knowledge are often hidden and need to be drawn out (whether good or evil)
Organization / Utilize Strengths, Minimize Weaknesses / Proverbs 20 / Young men have strength, old men wisdom
Planning / Seek Counsel / Proverbs 20 / Plans and war require counsel and wise guidance
The Lord Knows / Intent / Proverbs 20 / The Lord knows a man’s heart and intent
Values Based Management / Leaders Upheld by / Proverbs 20 / Kings are upheld by loyalty, faithfulness and righteousness (all parties)
Business / People Will Lie / Proverbs 20:14 / People will lie in business (“it is bad...” later boasts.)
Business / Accurate Self Assessment / Proverbs 21 / Man’s way is right in his eyes, God judges the heart
Business / Excellence / Proverbs 21 / Skilled men will stand before kings - not obscure men
Business / Folly of Corruption for Short Term Gains / Proverbs 21 / - Those oppressing the poor will come to want.
- Those who give to the rich will come to want.
- Do not rob poor of crush afflicted - God will avenge.
- Giving your pledge: (no reference to “pledge” in Hebrew)
* Do not be surety for another’s debt.
* (Hebrew “taga” [#8628 - Strong’s Concordance] - used only in reference to surety.)
- Do not take land (other things?) from those given it by Godly forefathers.
Business / God in Charge / Proverbs 21 / God directs the king’s heart
Business / God in Charge / Proverbs 21 / Man plans and prepares, but the victory is in God’s hands
Business / Justice / Proverbs 21 / Doing Righteousness and Justice is more pleasing to God than religion (e.g. sacrifices, alms, service, witnessing, etc.)
Business / Need Reserves / Proverbs 21 / Operating Strategy - Too Thin/No Reserves
The wise saves and reserves for future, fools spend it all
Business / Re-taking Business for God / Proverbs 21 / The wicked will be the ransom for the righteous (Righteous will prevail at wicked’s expense??!!)
Business / Values Based Management / Proverbs 21 / Drive out the scoffer - removes contention, strife, abuse
Justice / Penalty for Injustice / Proverbs 23 / Do not take the land (other things?) of the weak - God will avenge
Business / Carrots of Evil Men / Proverbs 23 (two times) / Watch the carrots put in front of you by the rich (or rulers). They are a deception and your appetite may cost you greatly, or your life
Correction / Those Heading to Destruction / Proverbs 24 / God expects us to help those stumbling to death and slaughter. And He will requite us according to our works
Diligence First / Proverbs 24 / Be diligent, prepare work and fields first, then build your house (pursue the comforts.)
Justice / Fairness in Judgment / Proverbs 24 / If you tolerate evil in judgment, you will be cursed and abhorred by peoples and nations
Wise Counsel / Victory / Proverbs 24 (two times) / Abundance of Wise counselors produces victory
Business / Staying After Prospects, Opportunities / Proverbs 25 / A ruler may be persuaded by patience and a soft tongue
God Ordains Newsletter Approach???!
Candor / To Owners, Leaders, the Powerful / Proverbs 25 / Speaking Truth to Boards and Owners
Faithful Messengers refresh masters. (e.g. reporting on remote farms.)
Godly Leaders / Given God’s Wisdom / Proverbs 25 / - God conceals things, but kings search things out.
- The mind of the king is deep - we cannot know all in his mind.
Humility / Self Promotion / Proverbs 25 / Do not try to exalt yourself in the presence of the king
Humility / Self Promotion / Proverbs 25 / Seeking your own glory is like eating too much honey
Justice / Winnows Evil / Proverbs 25 / - Puts away evil as dross is put from silver, throne is established in righteousness.
- Putting trust in a faithless man will hurt during trouble.
Traps & Snares / Greed / Proverbs 25 / Modest means are better than contention
Wisdom / Listening Ear / Proverbs 25 (two times) / A wise word to the listening ear is like fine gold
* God Ordains Getting Truth to the Top!
Dealing With Enemies, Fools / Confrontation / Proverbs 26 / - Speak directly to the fool’s folly.
Dealing With Enemies, Fools / Discipline, Harsh / Proverbs 26 / -The fool should be harshly disciplined.
Remember CALPERs approach. “We want you to do X by Y date. If you don’t, we introduce a shareholder motion…” / -
Dealing With Enemies, Fools / Political Appointments / Proverbs 26 / - Trusting a fool invites disaster.
- Wisdom is useless to fools. (two times)
- Honoring a fool will backfire.
- Hiring a fool will backfire. (would this include appointments made politically without merit?)
- The fool will repeat his folly.
*** The Arrogant are worse off than fools!!!
Dealing With Enemies, Fools / Red Herrings / Proverbs 26 / - Do not be drawn aside by foolish debate.
UnGodly Man, Attributes / Arrogance / Proverbs 26 / *** The Arrogant are worse off than fools!!!
Business / Competition / Proverbs 27 / Can be healthy, like iron sharpening iron
Business / Core Competence, Sticking to / Proverbs 27 / (Possible, not certain) Wandering from home, place is like a bird straying from it’s nest. (#4725)
Business / Timing: (Just like God is showing me!) / Proverbs 27 / - Even good done at wrong time will be counted as cursing.
- If things are fat and full, even honey is ignored.
- The hungry man is happy with nearly anything.
Discerning Intent / In Face / Proverbs 27 / - Mind reflects man as mirror show face.
Discerning Intent / In What He Praises / Proverbs 27 / - What he praises reveals his nature.
Godly Man, Attributes / Correction / Proverbs 27 / Faithful friends rebuke and wound openly when necessary
Listening / Counsel / Proverbs 27 / Good council from a friend is joy to the heart
UnGodly Man, Attributes / Envy / Proverbs 27 / Envy is more dangerous than anger
UnGodly Man, Attributes / Kiss and Schmoose / Proverbs 27 / Enemies kiss and schmoose!
UnGodly Man, Attributes / Self Promotion / Proverbs 27 / Do not Praise yourself
Discipline / Correction / Proverbs 28 / Afterward, and honest rebuker is appreciated more than a flatterer
God in Charge / Righteousness Prevails / Proverbs 28 / The wealth accumulated by usury and unjust gain will go to those who are kind to the poor.
Justice / Respecter of Persons / Proverbs 28 / Partiality is wrong
Leadership Turnover / Link to Corruption / Proverbs 28 / - Corrupt people and rulers equals instability and changes of governments. Understanding and knowledge equals stability.