Cultivating a Risk Intelligent Culture
Posted inExecutive Insights

Cultivating a Risk Intelligent Culture

I was talking with a colleague recently about common threads in businesses that need to be turned around. One we briefly discussed pertained to risk and agency cost—the ability of a key employee, owner or partner to engage in activities that are personally beneficial but hurt the organization. Such benefits can range from what they buy with company dollars and time, to what they do, or avoid...
April 6, 2021Posted inExecutive InsightsTags: ,
Becoming Free From the Bondage of Sin, Part 1 of 8, Common Ownership Dysfunctions
Posted inChristian Stewardship

Becoming Free From the Bondage of Sin, Part 1 of 8, Common Ownership Dysfunctions

View the companion video at the Bible and Business YouTube channel. Taken from Chapter 2 of A Christian Theology of Business Ownership. In observing various business owners and leaders, I’ve concluded that there are common dysfunctions into which many fall. Table 2-1 outlines some of the more common dysfunctions and likely results. Table 2-1: Common Owner Dysfunctions and Results Common Owner DysfunctionsCommon ResultsAvoids conflictLoses top talent.Incivility is...
March 27, 2021Posted inChristian StewardshipTags: , ,
Posted inExecutive Insights

CEO Inbox Observations

Three times now, I've been asked to be the CEO of a company in which I have inherited the former CEO's email inbox. Three times now I've had to manage both my own email inbox and another's at the same time. In two of the three cases, the CEOs were underperforming. Their email inboxes have given me insight into as to why. Attention Management Attention Management is...
March 6, 2021Posted inExecutive InsightsTags: ,
Stay Away from Angry People
Posted inWisdom Sayings

Stay Away from Angry People

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,[1] do not associate with one easily angered,[2] or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.[3]Proverbs 22.24-25 Angry people stir up strife and those who become angry cause much transgression (Proverbs 29.22). Man’s anger doesn’t lead to a godly life (James 1.20). Harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15.1) and often produces strife (Proverbs 30.33). The hope of...
March 4, 2021Posted inWisdom SayingsTags:
Do Not Exploit the Poor
Posted inWisdom Sayings

Do Not Exploit the Poor

Do not exploit[1] the poor because they are poor and do not crush[2] the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.[3]Proverbs 22.22 By definition “poor” entails being vulnerable to an economic predator.[4] This is one reason why being charitable to the poor is so important. Not only does our charity enable them to fully participate in the...
February 25, 2021Posted inWisdom SayingsTags: , ,
Exhortation to Listen
Posted inWisdom Sayings

Exhortation to Listen

Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,...
February 23, 2021Posted inWisdom SayingsTags: ,
God is Eternal
Posted inCharacter of God

God is Eternal

This is one of the more incomprehensible aspects to God's persona: He is eternal. Consider Revelation 4.8: And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" (NIV Revelation 4.8) The scene described...
February 21, 2021Posted inCharacter of GodTags: ,
Leadership Lessons from the Life of Daniel Part III
Posted inLeadership

Leadership Lessons from the Life of Daniel Part III

While this site is focused on business ownership, our lesson today from Daniel 3.1-30 is really about those who work for difficult bosses. Let’s start by reading the Scripture: King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges,...
February 14, 2021Posted inLeadershipTags: , ,
Leadership Lessons from the Life of Moses, Part 1
Posted inLeadership

Leadership Lessons from the Life of Moses, Part 1

View the video here. Download PowerPoint slides here. In this leadership series, I’ll explore what we can learn from the life of Moses about leadership. We’ll spend our time in the book of Exodus. Let’s start by reading Exodus 1.1-7: These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun and...
February 1, 2021Posted inLeadershipTags: ,
Prospering in Proverbs
Posted inTheology and Business

Prospering in Proverbs

We all want to be prosperous. In America, this is equated with financial success and wealth. But the Bible has a different notion of what prosperity is and isn't. So, I thought I'd look at what Solomon, through his proverbs, says we need to do if we’re going to prosper. Let’s take a look first by noting the verses in Proverbs which speak to prospering. The first...
January 28, 2021Posted inTheology and BusinessTags: ,
The Theological Context of Business Ownership Part VII: The Value of Faith and Money
Posted inTheology and Business

The Theological Context of Business Ownership Part VII: The Value of Faith and Money

Part 7 of 7. This seventh and final section finishes the theological context for business ownership by elevating our faith and relationship with God far above our businesses and any wealth we might have. I felt God wanted me to coalesce into one section several passages which form the Biblical truth that faith is (much) more valuable than wealth. Some of what I present in this section...
January 20, 2021Posted inTheology and BusinessTags: , , ,
Table of Contents: A Christian Theology of Business Ownership
Posted inTheology and Business

Table of Contents: A Christian Theology of Business Ownership

Chapter 1: The Theological Context for Business OwnershipChapter 2: Gaining Freedom from the Bondage of SinChapter 3: Christian StewardshipChapter 4: PartnershipsChapter 5: Advisors and WisdomChapter 6: Engaging the Unseen WorldChapter 7: Hearing the Voice of GodChapter 8: Fulfilling God's Purposes for Business Our work on this earth is preparation for our reign with Christ in eternity. Living in a covenant relationship with God that is characterized by...
January 11, 2021Posted inTheology and Business
The Theological Context for Business Ownership Part VI: Connecting the Physical with the Unseen Realm
Posted inTheology and Business

The Theological Context for Business Ownership Part VI: Connecting the Physical with the Unseen Realm

Part 6 of 7 Our sixth theological element which forms the theological context for business ownership is understanding and leveraging how our physical world is connected to the unseen realm. Our discussion about presence in the previous section will both help us understand this section and also make fuller our understanding of the Biblical concept of presence. In the Bible, physical geography matters. It needs to be...
January 9, 2021Posted inTheology and BusinessTags: , ,
God is Worthy
Posted inCharacter of God

God is Worthy

The Bible explains God’s character in myriad ways. In this post, I will focus on Christ being worthy. Here are some passages for us to consider: I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies[1] 2 Samuel 22.4 For other passages that declare that God is worthy of praise, see also Psalm 18.3, 48.1, 96.4, 145.3 For great is...
January 6, 2021Posted inCharacter of GodTags:
The Theological Context for Business Ownership, Presence, Part 5 of 7
Posted inTheology and Business

The Theological Context for Business Ownership, Presence, Part 5 of 7

Part 5 of 7 View the companion video here. If one is merely faithful to God – even with His help – one could still live a life of duty. But when you combine faithfulness with presence, you have the dual elements which form the core of any covenant relationship. Being present with God is essential to enjoying His beauty and persona. Loving Him and receiving His...
January 3, 2021Posted inTheology and BusinessTags:
Have no Fear of Sudden Disaster
Posted inExecutive Insights

Have no Fear of Sudden Disaster

Proverbs 3.25-26 (NIV) says this: Have no fear of sudden disaster, or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared One of the main reasons we purchase insurance is to share the risks our businesses face with others in a similar situation.  Insurance companies coalesce those risks into a risk pool with many...
January 2, 2021Posted inExecutive InsightsTags: , , ,
Business Owner’s Need for Reflection
Posted inExecutive Insights

Business Owner’s Need for Reflection

Business owners and leaders should take time away from their business to reflect, pray and gain perspective. Times of reflection allow us to disconnect from the cares and schedules of this world and focus on something that is important to learn about, to understand and to eventually reach a place where we can make quality decisions or enter into rich experiences that will elude us otherwise. Reflection...
January 1, 2021Posted inExecutive InsightsTags: ,
The Theological Context for Business Ownership Part IV: Perseverance
Posted inTheology and Business

The Theological Context for Business Ownership Part IV: Perseverance

Part 4 of 7 View the companion video. While God’s redemptive faithfulness is expressed through His covenants, our response of faithfulness is expressed in the Scriptures through perseverance. We are said to be faithful when we have persevered. If we don’t persevere, we’ll eventually break our covenant with God. Consider 2 Peter 1.3-9. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through...
December 31, 2020Posted inTheology and BusinessTags: ,
Emotional Reluctance Can Kill Your Business
Posted inExecutive Insights

Emotional Reluctance Can Kill Your Business

Business Owners need to understand themselves well enough to know where they have emotional reluctance for difficult decisions. Difficult decisions are, well, difficult.  But when there is an emotional attachment to a person, process or a historical element as part of the decision, then emotional reluctance can postpone that difficult decision, which can injure your business and/or employee relations both in the near-term and long-term. For example,...
December 31, 2020Posted inExecutive InsightsTags: ,
We are Overcomers Through Christ
Posted inCurrent Events

We are Overcomers Through Christ

At the time of this writing, our world seems to be spinning out of control. A majority of our country has placed their faith in the new Biden administration, having rejected President Trump at the polls. By the end of this calendar year (2020), as a nation, we will have taken on another ~$5 trillion of debt due to the pandemic, which has now killed over 350,000...
December 23, 2020Posted inCurrent EventsTags: , ,
The Theological Context for Business Ownership Part III: Covenants
Posted inTheology and Business

The Theological Context for Business Ownership Part III: Covenants

Part 3 of 7 Covenants are far more important than most Christians realize. It’s one of the most important, yet under-taught theology in Evangelical Christianity. Orienting yourself to living in a covenant relationship with God will change your life, for the better. I’m not kidding and I’m not exaggerating. God has chosen to implement His redemptive plan through a series of covenants which are given in both...
December 19, 2020Posted inTheology and BusinessTags:
How our Tax System Works
Posted inExecutive Insights

How our Tax System Works

I found this post on the Wall Street Journal site in response to the House Bill Health Care Reform story. Rather instructive, I might add. Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this: The first four men (the poorest)...
December 18, 2020Posted inExecutive InsightsTags: , ,
Posted inTheology and Business

The Generosity of God Should Evoke Our Gratefulness

I have been spending time in Revelation because I want to learn how to praise and worship God as they do in heaven. I must admit that I really don't know how to do this. But I want to learn. Hence, I'm mulling over Revelation since it's the only place in Scripture where we have such clear accounts for how those in heaven worship God and why...
December 14, 2020Posted inTheology and BusinessTags: , , ,
The Theological Context for Business Ownership Part II: Divine Council
Posted inTheology and Business

The Theological Context for Business Ownership Part II: Divine Council

The Divine Council Part 2 of 7 View the companion video here. The second truth which I present here is connected to the first truth of reigning with Christ: the divine council. Some may not be familiar with this notion of a divine council.[1] However, the Bible says that God has a council of divine beings who carry out His decisions. It is referred to as God’s...
December 13, 2020Posted inTheology and BusinessTags: ,
Biblical Passages on Products and Services
Posted inTheology and Business

Biblical Passages on Products and Services

Products is one of the four purposes God has for business (the other three are People, Profits and Philanthropy.) Simply stated, Business exists to provide a means to produce products that enables the community to flourish. So, if this is one of God's purposes for business, then as Christian Business Owners, we need to see what the Bible says about producing products and delivering services. Products Which...
December 6, 2020Posted inTheology and BusinessTags: ,
The Theological Context for Business Ownership Part I: Reigning with Christ
Posted inTheology and Business

The Theological Context for Business Ownership Part I: Reigning with Christ

Part 1 of 7 Watch the companion video on YouTube. Starting with eternity in mind, we will be able to understand more clearly God’s purposes for our businesses and our lives. We need to know the purposes to which we Christian business owners[1] have been called. We will better understand the connection between what we do as owners today and what we will be doing in eternity....
December 3, 2020Posted inTheology and BusinessTags: , ,
Be Content with what You Already Have
Posted inChristian Stewardship

Be Content with what You Already Have

From 1 Timothy 6.3-10: If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing.They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who...
November 27, 2020Posted inChristian StewardshipTags: ,
Honor God by Honoring Your Manager
Posted inExecutive Insights

Honor God by Honoring Your Manager

In 1 Timothy 6.1-2, we read the following: “All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow...
November 26, 2020Posted inExecutive InsightsTags: , , ,
Best Practices for Hiring an Interim CEO
Posted inExecutive Insights

Best Practices for Hiring an Interim CEO

Having run several businesses, I'll say that the process to being a successful CEO in an interim situation includes attention to several key areas. But the change for the owner who is hiring the interim CEO is significant. This article outlines the foci of an interim CEO and also lays out the best practices for the ownership group. People There is a plethora of relationships that need...
November 26, 2020Posted inExecutive InsightsTags: ,
What it Means to be a Christian Business Owner
Posted inChristian Stewardship Theology and Business

What it Means to be a Christian Business Owner

Recently, I had lunch with a business owner who is on his second business. He grew and sold the first business he owned and how he’s on his second business. As we talked about business, he made the comment that he’s far from perfect when it comes to integrating his faith as a business owner. “I don’t hold Bible studies for my employees”, he said. “Sometimes, I’ll...
November 7, 2020Posted inChristian Stewardship, Theology and BusinessTags: ,