週一嗎哪

服事全球工商界
2007.7.30
你更多相信誰? 你自己或是神?
當我為「投資健全的心智」這份通信編輯一篇文章時，一個句子跳出來在我眼前。 「…應該是100%信賴神的時候了，而不是僅僅叫祂來參與我正在做的這件事。」 這是對我們這些自稱耶穌的跟隨者作決定時一個很尖銳的描述。 我們很容易拿現有的資訊來制定我們的方向， 然後要求神加入我們已經決定的事; 卻很難將我們的決定權順服地擺上，去求問祂的方向，然後真的等候祂的答案。
為什麼不先聆聽神的方向就做決定會有大問題?原因就在於—再怎麼棒的想法也不一定總是符合神更偉大的計畫。但我們若完完全全順服在神面前，結果往往出乎人意料。
大衛王的經驗提供了一個很好的見證。 撒母耳紀下第7到第10章記載了大衛王一生中最榮耀的時光，神在他身上展現了無比的恩寵，建造他成為以色列人的王又使他勝過他的仇敵，他應該最有資格認為自己的想法是出於神的人了。然而當大衛決定要為神建殿(因為他想到自己住在宮殿裡，但神的約櫃卻仍然放在帳幕中) 時，他知道神對於祂自己要成就的事都有特別的旨意，所以行動前他找了先知拿單確定建殿是否真為神的旨意?
一開始，建殿看起來似乎是一個很棒的主意，因為拿單馬上就同意大衛了。的確，建聖殿是神要成就的事，這個主意很棒，大衛的動機也是對的，但問題是—神不要大衛本人建。我們後來才知道神選擇別人建聖殿是因為神說: 「你不可為我的名建造殿宇; 因你是戰士，流了人的血。」 (歷代志上28章3節) 神修正了拿單原本的「以為」。這件事也提醒了我們—神的計畫不總是在我們的常識裡。而大衛也謙卑地順服了神希望的事，所以大衛的兒子所羅門才能承受後來的榮耀。
我們每一個人都能應用這個故事裡的教訓在我們的生命當中，包括個人的經濟。 首先，我們必須檢視我們是否100%在經濟上順服神? 或者我們只是要求祂來參與我們現在正在做的事? 這需要經常的查驗，因為即使我們曾經順服神， 但我們有那樣的傾向就是會把順服的部分逐漸又收回自己的掌控之下。 當我們確信我們的心會順服神的回答，下一步就是求神顯現祂的旨意。以下是一些我們需要求問神的一些特定的領域:
你的工作或職場上未來的道路
退休計畫和存款的數目
目前的和未來的慈善奉獻
家庭計畫/關於小孩的事/教養小孩的決定
生活方式和其他購物計畫
也許神希望你在上述某一個領域有不尋常的決定。所以一但你禱告了，也求神顯明祂的旨意在某一個特定的事上，你就要積極地尋求祂並傾聽祂給你的回答。如果我們帶著一顆開放的心，信實的神會向我們顯明其他我們需要順服的領域。
通往真正的經濟自由始於順服和明瞭一切都是屬於神，我們只是祂的管家。 我們常被欺騙去相信神的計畫和個人的利益是完全不搭嘎的。但只有當我們放下自己關心的事並且開始順服神的時候，我們才會開始明白神的計畫和我們的利益其實是緊密結合的。當我們得到最大的滿足時也就是當神得到祂最大的榮耀時，而這一切的都始於我們的順服和願意跟隨祂的帶領。
思想 / 討論題目
1. 當你在做決定的時候你讓神參與多少(如果有的話)?解釋你的答案。
2. 你是否覺得你曾經有那樣一個時刻，即使是短暫的，你100%相信神在你生命中不同的領域引領你，特別是經濟方面? 你認為這樣完全的委身是可能的嗎?為什麼? 或為什麼不可能?
3.假設今天你面對一個關於你的職業、家庭、生活方式或經濟方面重大的抉擇，你會有多順服(這個旨意是很清楚的即便它違反你自己的決定)?
4. 你是否曾經有這樣的經驗—當時你覺得你的決定是最好的，所以結果不如預期時，你覺得相當沮喪。然而現在你回頭一看，卻覺得還好當時你的希望沒有被成就。如果你有這樣的經驗，請描述它並且說說你從中學了什麼?
備註:如果你手上有聖經， 想要複習關於這個主題的經節， 以下是一些建議:
詩篇37: 4, 5∕箴言3: 5, 6, 16:3, 9∕以賽亞書55:8, 9∕耶利米書29:11, 13
CBMC 中華民國總會
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
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MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
July 30, 2007
WHO DO YOU TRUST MORE – YOURSELF OR GOD?
By: Mark Biller
As I edited an article for our newsletter, Sound Mind Investing, a sentence leaped off the page at me: "...the time had come to trust God 100% instead of asking Him to join me in what I was doing." That's a piercing description of the choice we have as followers of Jesus Christ when making decisions. It's easy to take available information, set our course, and then ask God to join us in what we've decided to do. It's much harder to surrender a decision to God, ask for His direction, and then actually wait for an answer.
The problem with setting our own course without first hearing God's direction is that even seemingly great ideas don't always fit God's plan. Surrendering completely to God often leads to surprising outcomes.
King David's experience offers a great illustration. If ever someone could have reasonably assumed their thoughts were being led by God, it would be David in 2 Samuel 7-10. These chapters cover the glory years of David's life. God had shown him incredible favor, established him as king, and given him victory over his enemies. As David reflected, it bothered him that the Ark of the Covenant was sitting in a tent while he was living in a palace. So David decided to build God a temple. But David had learned that God can be very particular about how He wants things done. So before taking action, he consulted the prophet Nathan to confirm this plan was indeed God's will.
At first, this seemed such a good idea that Nathan immediately agreed David should proceed. Building a temple was something God did want to happen. The idea was right. David's motive was right. The problem was God didn't want David to build it. Only later do we learn why God chose someone other than David to build the temple: "You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood" (1 Chronicles 28:3). God corrected Nathan's assumption, reminding us His plans don't always line up with our common sense. David was humbly surrendered to do whatever God wanted, so David's son, Solomon, was given the honor.
Each of us can apply the lessons of this story to our lives, including our personal finances. First, have we really surrendered our finances 100% to God, or are we merely asking Him to join us in what we're doing? This requires regular check-ups. Even if we have done this before, we all have a tendency to gradually reassume control of areas that were once fully surrendered. When we're sure our heart is surrendered to God's answer, the next step is to simply ask Him to show us His will. Here are a few specific areas to ask the Lord about:
your job or career path
retirement plans and amount of saving
current and future charitable giving
family plans/children/child care-work decisions
lifestyle and other purchase choices
Could it be that God desires something out of the ordinary from you in one of these areas? Once you've prayed and asked Him to reveal His will in a particular area, be diligent to look and listen for His answer. If we come with an open heart, the Lord is faithful to show us any other areas we need to surrender.
The path to true financial freedom begins with surrender and the realization God owns everything anyway. We are merely His managers and stewards. Too often we believe the deception that God's plans and our personal best interests are separate. But as we lay down our agenda and begin to surrender to God, we come to realize His plans and our best interests are perfectly aligned. We get maximum satisfaction in the same place He gets maximum glory. The journey to that place begins with our surrender and a willingness to follow His lead.
Mark Biller is the executive editor of the Sound Mind Investing financial planning newsletter and website. You can read more about Sound Mind Investing and its investment principles at http://www.soundmindinvesting.com/.
CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Please direct any requests or change of address to: http://www.cbmcint.org/
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. How much do you involve God in your decision-making – if at all? Explain your answer.
2. Do you think you have ever reached a point – even temporarily – where you trusted God 100 percent in directing different areas of your life, especially your finances? Do you think such total commitment is even possible? Why or why not?
3. If you were to face a major decision today – in your career, your family, your lifestyle or your finances – how willing would you be to submit to God’s will once it became clear, even if it was contrary to your own desires?
Have you ever gone through a time when you felt certain that you knew what was best, you were extremely disappointed when the situation turned out very differently from what you had hoped and desired, but in retrospect were happy that your own will was not carried out? If so, describe it. What did you learn from that situation?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review some other passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses:
Psalm 37:4,5; Proverbs 3:5,6, 16:3,9; Isaiah 55:8,9; Jeremiah 29:11,13

週一嗎哪

服事全球工商界
2007.7.23
僱主與員工關係的界定
僱主與員工或上司與屬下之間的恰當關係應該是什麼？
在今日的職場，我們看到有許多難以估計的可能性。有些僱主的態度是：「我已提供了一個工作。我們也談好了酬勞。他們還期待什麼？他們在這裡就是要做任何我要他們做的事。假如他們不喜歡，我也沒辦法。」而有些員工的態度是：「直到找到更好的工作之前，我都在這裡。老板要我做什麼，我就去做，但別期待我會做更多。畢竟這只是個糊口的工作，並不是我的生命。」
在另一邊，我們發現有些僱主誠摯地關心員工的利益。這些僱主除了製造產品或提供服務、賺取利潤和取悅股東外，還想激勵員工發揮他們最大的能力－－去了解他們的天份與才能，給他們機會，讓他們的技能與專業技術完全發揮。同樣地，有些員工視工作為一個呼召，一個去服事別人的方式，也能實現他們生命的獨特目的。
在我工作三十多年間，遇過以上兩種老板，也有介於兩者之間的。我覺得有些老板只把我當作一個工具，一個可以完成事務或企劃的工具。然而，有些老板認為我不只於此。他們非常尊重我，也告訴我他們很重視我。他們要看到我成為卓越的人，也願意盡他們所能使之成真。我一直很感謝這些老板－－以及他們的公司。
但僱主與員工每天的互動是否有一個完美的模範？我們可在書店、圖書館、網路和各樣有關職場的演講中找到建議。其中一個值得我們考慮的來源是聖經。許多經文都談到工作，但以弗所書6章5-9節特別與此議題有關：
「你們作僕人的，要懼怕戰兢，用誠實的心聽從你們肉身的主人，好像聽從基督一般。不要只在眼前事奉，像是討人喜歡的，要像基督的僕人，從心裡遵行神的旨意；甘心事奉，好像服事主，不是服事人…你們作主人的待僕人，也是一理，不要威嚇他們，因為知道他們和你們，同有一位主在天上，祂並不偏待人。」
這不只是上司與屬下的關係，此經文也傳達互相尊重與順服的關係。「員工」二字可替代經文中的「僕人」，因僕人在當出聖經寫作時，是指志願的勞役，而不是被逼迫、被剝削權利的奴僕。同樣的，「僱主」或「老板」也可取代文中的「主人」。
在上司不在時，員工也要有全心委身的精神，誠懇、勤奮地工作。對那些相信上帝的員工而言，他們要認真地工作，就好像要直接向上帝報告一樣。
這經文提醒僱主對員工有管家的責任，要鼓勵、協助他們，而不是藉著威脅或不合理的壓力尋求增加生產力。當正面、互相支持的環境被建立，產量與員工滿意度自然都會提升。
思想 / 討論題目
你會如何形容你的老板與員工的整體關係？實際相處時，看起來如何？你覺得這關係如何影響公司員工的生產力與滿足感？
請描述你曾經歷過最好與最差的工作環境。兩者有何差異？
對於以弗所書6章5-9節所建議的工作關係，你有何看法？你認為在今日的職場中可行嗎？為什麼？
若將聖經的那些原則應用在你工作的地方（或任何職場），你認為會有何長期的影響？若試著開始實施那些原則，你想在短期內會有什麼問題？
註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
路加福音12章42-48節，16章1-12節；哥林多前書4章2節；歌羅西書3章17、23節；雅各書2章14-17節
CBMC 中華民國總會
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net

MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
July 23, 2007
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES – DEFINE THE RELATIONSHIP

By: Robert J. Tamasy
What should be the proper relationship between employers and employees? Or between supervisors and subordinates?
In today’s workplace we see an incredibly wide range of possibilities. There is the employer’s attitude that, “I have provided a job and we have agreed on compensation. What else do they expect? They are here to do whatever I ask of them. If they don’t like it, too bad.” And there is the corresponding employee’s attitude: “I’m here – at least until I can find something better. I will do what I’m assigned to do, but don’t expect me to do any more than that. After all, it is just a job; it’s not my life.”
At the other end of the spectrum, we find some employers who maintain a deep, sincere interest in those that work for them. Their desire, beyond producing goods or services, making a profit and pleasing stakeholders, is to empower workers to maximize their capabilities – to realize their gifts and talents and give them the opportunity to put their skills and expertise to full use. And some employees, in a similar way, see their jobs more as a calling, a way to serve others and fulfill their unique purpose in life.
During my working career of more than three decades, I have worked for both kinds of employers – and types in between. Some bosses I have had seemed to regard me as little more than a tool, a means for getting specific tasks and projects accomplished. Others, however, saw me as more than that. They treated me with great respect and communicated how much they valued me. They wanted to see me excel and were willing to do whatever they could to make that possible. I will always be thankful for those individuals – and their companies.
But is there a model, an ideal template for how employers and employees should interact on a day to day basis? We could find many business books with their recommendations in bookstores and libraries, as well as on the Internet and at various workplace conferences. One source that deserves to be considered is the Bible. In many passages it addresses work issues, but one in particular – Ephesians 6:5-9 – has particular relevance:
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord…. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.”
Rather than a relationship of superiority and subjection, this passage conveys a relationship of mutual respect and submission. The word “employees” could easily be substituted for the word “slaves,” since when these words were written it referred to a voluntary servitude, not a condition in which individuals were coerced and deprived of rights. Similarly, the words “employers” or “bosses” could replace the word “masters.”
Employees are urged to work respectfully and sincerely, diligently even when their superiors are not watching, and with a wholehearted, fully committed spirit. For those workers having a personal relationship with God, they should be just as devoted in carrying out their work as if they were reporting directly to God Himself.
Employers are reminded of their stewardship responsibilities toward those who work for them, to encourage and assist them in their responsibilities, not to seek increased productivity through threats or unreasonable pressure. When a positive, mutually supportive environment is established, work output and worker satisfaction grow.
Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress).
CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Please direct any requests or change of address to: http://www.cbmcint.org/
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. How would you describe the overall relationship between your employer and its employees? What does this look like in practice, and how do you feel it affects the productivity and contentment of the company’s staff?
2. Describe the best working environment you have ever experienced. Also describe the worst working environment that you have encountered. What were the differences between the two?
3. What is your overall reaction to what the suggested Bible passage, Ephesians 6:5-9, says about working relationships? Do you think it is realistic for today’s workplace? Why or why not?
4. What do you think would be the long-term impact of implementing those principles where you work – or in any workplace, for that matter? Would you anticipate any problems in the short-term of trying to introduce those principles?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider some other passages that concern this topic, turn to the following passages:
Luke 12:42-48, 16:1-12; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 3:17,23; James 2:14-17

週一嗎哪

服事全球工商界
2007.7.16
你憂慮什麼？
兩位商人談論著目前經濟環境的不確定性。傑克說：「我快要失去工作，而且我的房子要被銀行拍賣了－－但我不憂慮。」他的朋友鮑伯問：「你怎能不憂慮呢？」傑克回答說：「我已僱用一個專業憂慮師。他負責替我憂慮，所以我不需憂慮了！」
鮑伯問：「這樣的服務要花你多少錢？」傑克說：「每年50,000美元。」鮑伯驚訝地問：「50,000美元！你怎麼付得起這麼多錢？」傑克回答：「我不知道，那是他要憂慮的事！」
憂慮是你學習來的。沒有人是天生就會憂慮，這是從生活中學習來的反應。你是從兩種來源學會憂慮：
你從經驗學會憂慮。經過多年的錯誤、失敗、沒實現的願望和期待，你發現事情不會完全按照我們想要或期待的方式發生。從這些經驗，你就形成憂慮的習慣。
你從別人的示範中學會憂慮。你的周圍有許多示範者。研究顯示孩童常常接收父母的憂慮。焦慮、害怕的父母就養出焦慮、害怕的孩子。
好消息是，因為憂慮是學習來的生活反應，所以不憂慮也是可以學習的。克服憂慮的第一步是去了解一個基本的普世真理：憂慮是沒有用的。從憂慮中你從未獲得任何好處，它只是徒然浪費你的精力。
憂慮無法改變任何事。憂慮無法改變昨天，也無法控制明天，只會讓你今天過得很痛苦。憂慮從未解決問題。它不能幫你付帳單，也無法醫治病痛。它只會使你無法動彈，妨礙你採取適當的行動，所以你無法解決問題。
憂慮就像在賽車時，將引擎放在空檔－－這不能讓你往前進，只是在浪費燃料。如箴言12章25節：「人心憂慮，屈而不伸（沉重使他喪氣）。」
除此之外，憂慮還誇大問題。憂慮玩弄你的想像力。你是否曾經注意到，當你憂慮一個問題，那問題就變得愈來愈大，且愈難解決？每次你在腦中重覆你的憂慮，你就會再加上一些細節，並增加它的強度－－擴大問題的嚴重性，使自己覺得更糟糕。
要如何解決呢？告訴上帝什麼事讓你憂慮，祂是（可能也是唯一）能影響事情的人。「應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安，必在基督耶穌裡，保守你們的心懷意念」（腓立比書4章6-7節）。
思想 / 討論題目
你是否常常憂慮－－或者你認識常常憂慮的人？什麼樣的事會讓你（或其他人）憂慮？
你是否同意本文作者所說：「憂慮沒有一點好處」？為什麼？
有人說：「我們所憂慮的事中，有90%不會發生。」那麼，為何人們還是花那麼多時間與精力去憂慮不會發生的事？你會建議如何解決憂慮的問題？
你曾否將你所擔憂、焦慮或害怕的問題或可能發生的問題告訴神？若有，結果如何？是否有幫助－－或只是一廂情願的想法？
註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
以賽亞書41章10節；耶利米書29章11節；馬太福音6章25-34節，10章28-31節；路加福音10章32-34節；提摩太後書1章7節
CBMC 中華民國總會
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net

MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community July 16th, 2007
WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT?
By: Rick Warren

Two businessmen were talking about the uncertainties of the current economic climate. Jack said, "I'm about to lose my job and our house is in foreclosure – but I don't worry about it." His friend Bob asked, "How can you not be worried?" Jack answered, "I've hired a professional worrier. He does all my worrying for me. That way I don't have to worry!"
“What do you pay for that service?” Bob asked him. "$50,000 a year," Jack answered. Hearing this, Bob gasped, "$50,000! Where are you going to get that kind of money?" Jack replied, "I don't know. That's his worry!"

WORRY IS SOMETHING YOU LEARNED TO DO. There is no such thing as a born worrier. It is a learned response to life. You learned to worry from two sources:

1. You learned to worry from experience. After years of mistakes, failures and unfulfilled hopes and expectations, you have discovered that things do not always turn out the way we want or expect them to. Out of these experiences, you formed the habit of worrying.

2. You learned to worry from examples. There are many models around you. Studies show that children usually pick up their parents’ worries. Anxious, fearful parents raise anxious, fearful kids.

The good news is that since worry is a learned response to life, it can be unlearned! The starting point for overcoming worry is to realize one basic, universal truth: it is useless. You derive no benefit from worrying. It is "stewing without doing."
Worry has never changed anything. Worry cannot change the past. Worry cannot control the future. Worry only makes you miserable today. Worry has never solved a problem, it has never paid a bill, and has never cured an illness. It only paralyzes you, inhibiting your ability to take proper remedial steps, so you can't work on the solution.

Worry is like racing a car engine in neutral – it doesn't get you anywhere, it just uses up fuel. As Proverbs 12:25 tells us, "An anxious heart weighs a man down."
On top of that, worry exaggerates the problem. It plays on your imagination. Have you ever noticed that when you worry about a problem, it seems to get bigger and more difficult to solve? Every time you repeat your concern over and over in your mind, you tend to add details and increase its intensity – amplifying the situation so you feel worse.

So what is the solution? Instead of worrying, talk to God about what is worrying you. He is someone – perhaps the only One – who can do something about it. "Don't worry about anything. Instead pray about everything; tell God what you need and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand" (Philippians 4:6-7).
Rick Warren is the author of the highly acclaimed, best-selling book, The Purpose-Drive Life, which has been translated into many languages and sold throughout the world. It affirms the importance of having a carefully considered, clearly expressed purpose to guide everyday life.
CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Please direct any requests or change of address to: http://www.cbmcint.org/
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Are you a person that worries a lot – or do you know someone like that? What kinds of things cause you – or the other person – to worry?
Do you agree with Rick Warren’s statement that worrying serves no benefit? Why or why not?
It has been said that more than 90 percent of the things we worry about never occur. Why, then, do you think that people expend so much time and energy worrying about such things? What would you suggest as a remedy to this problem?
Have you ever talked to God about problems – or potential problems – that had you worried, anxious or fearful? If so, has been the result? Did you find it helpful – or did it seem to be merely the equivalent of wishful thinking?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to look at some other passages that deal with this topic, consider the following:
Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 6:25-34, 10:28-31; Luke 10:32-34; 2 Timothy 1:7

週一嗎哪

服事全球工商界
2007.7.9
經歷夢想的破滅
我最近喜歡看的一部電影是「面對巨人」。這是關於一個球隊克服重重障礙與逆境的故事。這部電影的DVD也提供有關本片演員生命中一些激勵人心的故事。
其中一個故事特別吸引我的注意，那是電影中飾演總教練之妻的那位女演員的故事。那位女演員從小就很想要成為演員，她甚至為了追求這夢想而搬到大城市，但結果令她失望。
後來她的丈夫因為工作的關係，全家搬到喬治亞州的艾巴尼鎮。這是美國東南部的一個小鎮。當她開車進入艾巴尼鎮時，她認為自己成為電影演員的夢想破滅了。因為她知道在這鳥不生蛋的地方，她無法把演戲當作職業。
她向上帝哭訴，她失去一生夢想的挫敗與痛苦。但她宣告：即使她無法演戲，她還是要讚美上帝。她不知道雖然艾巴尼鎮似乎不可能讓一位演員有發揮的機會，但在神沒有不可能的事。後來她就在這小鎮被「發掘」，使她能在「面對巨人」裡擔任一個角色。
我們許多人都珍惜自己生命中的夢想，但最終都很失望。這些夢想可能是有關事業上的雄心壯志、婚姻與家庭生活或個人的目標與成就。有時這些夢想並不屬於我們，我們的手必需放開這些夢想－－不論這有多困難。然而，有時我們夢想的破滅只是神為了引導、塑造我們未來的過程。如詩篇37篇4節所教導：「又要以耶和華為樂，祂就將你心裡所求的賜給你。」
我們的動機是關鍵：我們夢想的潛在動機是什麼？若我們的眼目定睛在神為我生命的計劃，而不是堅持自己的計劃，要求按自己的方式。神就可能賜給我們心中所願－－即使這意味著改變我們心中所願。
藉著扼殺我們的夢想，許多時候上帝可以成就祂在我們身上的計劃，而不是成就我們所想要的。祂可能會同意我們的夢想，但對我們為何要那個夢想，會有不同的意見。
有時神可能要我們的夢想破滅，因為那不是祂要你有的夢想。祂可能有一個不同的計劃，一個更好的計劃，即使在當時還看不出來。
若你已很努力，但夢想尚未成真，你就要以禱告的心思考你這夢想的動機。你是為了討神的喜悅，或討自己的喜悅？
思想 / 討論題目
你是否有一個夢想或雄心壯志－－不論是很久以前或就在最近－－這夢想若破滅，你會很難接受嗎？若有，這夢想是什麼？若放棄，會有何感覺？
現在你是否有何特別的夢想，讓你開始擔心它不會成真？你為何認為這夢想可能破滅？
你是否願意接受你長久以來的夢想或目標可能不在神給你的計劃裡，或者祂可能會讓你完成那夢想－－但是以一個超乎你想像的方式？
本文作者引述詩篇37篇4節：「又要以耶和華為樂，祂就將你心裡所求的賜給你。」若用你自己的話改寫，你會如何寫？你相信這句話嗎？
註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
詩篇37篇5節；箴言3章5-6節，16章3節；耶利米書29章11、13節；路加福音11章9-13節
CBMC 中華民國總會
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net

MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
July 9, 2007
EXPERIENCING THE DEATH OF A DREAM
By: Rick Boxx
One of my newest favorite movies is “Facing the Giants,” the story of a sports team that overcomes some major obstacles and adversity. The DVD for this film also provides some inspiring stories about the lives of actors and actresses that portrayed some of the characters.
One story that particularly captured my attention was told by the woman who played the wife of the head coach in the movie. The actress told about her passion to be an actress that she had developed at an early age. She even moved to a major city to pursue that dream, only to be disappointed.
Eventually her husband’s career prompted their family to relocate to Albany, Georgia, a small town in the southeastern portion of the United States. As she was driving into Albany, she came to the conclusion that in making the move, her dreams of acting were dying. This was no place, the actress realized, to begin to establish a career as a performer.
She cried out to God, acknowledging the pain of admitting defeat and the loss of a lifelong dream. But she declared that although it appeared she would never act, she still wanted God to know she still would praise Him. Little did she know that although Albany, Georgia seemed an unlikely, even impossible place for an aspiring actor, this didn’t seem so impossible for God. This in fact became the place where she was “discovered,” and her acting role in “Facing the Giants” was one evidence of that.
Many of us have cherished dreams in our life that result only in disappointment. They may involve ambitions in business or professional life; they may relate to marriage and family life; or they may concern goals for personal achievement. Sometimes these dreams are not our destiny, and we need to release them – no matter how difficult that may be. However, there are other times when the apparent death of our dream is just part of the process God has for guiding and shaping our future. As Psalm 37:4 teaches, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Our motive is the key: What is the underlying motivation for our dream? If our eyes are fixed on God’s plan for our life, rather than insisting on our plan and demanding our own way, then God can give us the desires of our heart – even if it means changing what our desires are.
By killing a dream, many times God accomplishes his goal of prying our fingers off something that He Himself may want for us, but not for the purposes or reasons that we have in mind. He may agree with what we want, but have different ideas about why we should want it.
Other times God may want our dream to die, because it’s not His dream for you. He may have a different plan, a better plan, even if it does not seem that way at the time.
If you are wrestling with a dream that doesn’t seem to be becoming a reality, prayerfully consider your motives for this dream. Are you delighting in the Lord, or are you delighting in yourself?

(Copyright 2007, Integrity Resource Center, Inc.) Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. For more information about receiving Integrity Moments in their e-mail box, write to: http://us.f906.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=rboxx@integritymoments.com and type "subscribe" in the subject line or visit his website, http://www.integrityresource.org/.
CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Please direct any requests or change of address to: http://www.cbmcint.org/
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Can you think of a cherished dream or ambition – in the distant past or even recently – that you found extremely difficult to see die? If so, what was that dream and how did it feel to let go of it?
Do you have any special dreams right now that you are starting to worry about never seeing become reality? Why do you think this might be the case?
How willing are you to accept that a long-cherished dream or goal may not be in God’s plan for your life, or that He may in fact enable you to achieve it – but in a very different way than you had imagined?
Rick Boxx quotes Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” How would you rephrase this verse in your own words? Do you believe it?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider other passages that relate to this topic, look up the following verses:
Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 3:5,6, 16:3; Jeremiah 29:11,13; Matthew &7-12; Luke 11:9-13

週一嗎哪

服事全球工商界
2007.7.2
言語是大規模毀滅的武器
「週一嗎哪」過去談了許多次言語的使用與濫用。在今日的世界裡，全天候的電視和廣播脫口秀與評論性節目、網路和其他自我表達的管道不斷激增，所以這主題比以前更重要了。
最近有一個受歡迎但有爭議性的廣播脫口秀主持人，因在節目中所作的即興評論，受到嚴厲的批評。他所說的話本來是為了幽默及娛樂，但卻不能取悅指導此節目的道德團體。最後，那廣播評論員從他擔任多年的職位上被解僱。
有一句諺語是：「棍棒和石頭會傷及筋骨，但咒罵傷不了人。」此話應被廢棄，因這不是真的－－從來都不是。嚴厲、無情的話語所造成的傷害，比身體所受的傷害更痛苦、更長久，雖然這二者都不應該。
這問題當然也發生在各種不同形式的傳播媒體。夫妻間、父母與子女間或兄弟姊妹間，在生氣衝動時，或沒有仔細思考時所說的話，會造成家中相當大的痛苦。在職場中，大家的期待很高，工作的壓力也很大，情緒性的字眼常常像尖銳的刀刃深深地刺傷人。
無情話語背後的動機有很多，例如沮喪、敵意、羨慕、驕傲、嫉妒、憤怒。許多時候，一旦說出不適當的話，我們希望能收回，把它像垃圾一樣丟到窗外。遺憾的是，通常傷害已造成，苦毒的想法在腦中已留下一道深刻的痕跡。
這要如何解決呢？生活中有許多事都是無意識的，甚至包括不經意說出的話。我們能如何避免在與我們共事的人、所關心的人、甚至所愛的人心中造成言語的傷害？聖經舊約中的箴言有一些值得我們思考的意見：
保護你的話語如同珍貴的財物。就像那脫口秀的主持人，因不經思考的無情話語，而付出高昂的代價。我們也應了解不論那句話在當時多麼恰當，不三思而言會有嚴重的後果。事後才說：「我不是那個意思」是一個薄弱且不被接受的理由。「謹守口的，得保生命；大張嘴的，必致滅亡」（箴言13章3節）。
不讓情緒控制你的舌頭。要了解輕率、情緒性話語的潛在危險，這些話會讓你事後悔恨。在說出口前，先仔細思考所要說的話，可使你免於事後補救話語所造成的傷害。「寡少言語的有知識，性情溫良的有聰明」（箴言17章27節）。
有疑慮時，保持靜默。一位政治家曾說：「寧願保持靜默，被認為是笨蛋，也不要開口釋疑。」尤其在被脅迫或有情緒的情況下，我們很容易想到什麼就說什麼。然而，我們必需小心，不要說出自己負擔不起其損失的話語。「愚昧人若靜默不言，也可算為智慧；閉口不說，也可算為聰明」（箴言17章28節）。
思想 / 討論題目
你是否聽過「棍棒和石頭會傷及筋骨，但咒罵傷不了人」，或類似的話？你對這句話有何看法？
最近是否有人在強烈的情緒下，說出傷害你的話？或是你自己在強烈的情緒下，說出傷害別人的話？結果如何？
新約雅各書稱舌頭是「在百體裡是最小的，卻能說大話…是火；在我們百體中，舌頭是個罪惡的世界」（雅各書3章5-6節）。你是否同意這說法？為什麼？
你認為應該採取什麼步驟，才能避免因說出不恰當、無情或不經思考的話所帶來的毀滅性後果？箴言中的經文是否有幫助？
註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言4章24節，10章19-21節，10章32節，11章13節，12章14節，12章18節，15章1節，16章23節，18章2節
CBMC 中華民國總會
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net

MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
July 2nd, 2007
WORDS REMAIN ‘WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION’

By: Robert J. Tamasy
We have devoted several past editions of “Monday Manna” to the use – and abuse – of the spoken word. It appears that in today’s world, with the proliferation of round-the-clock TV and radio talk shows and commentaries, the Internet and other outlets for self-expression, this issue is as important as ever.
Recently a popular and controversial syndicated radio talk show host underwent severe criticism for impromptu comments he made on his program. The statements he had made, intended to be humorous and entertaining, failed to amuse members of the ethnic group to which they were directed. Ultimately the radio commentator was terminated by the network from the job he had held for many years.
There used to be an adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” It is time to put that saying to rest once and for all. It is not true – and never was. Damage inflicted by harsh, insensitive words often can be more painful and longer-lasting than striking someone physically, although neither is acceptable.
This problem is certainly not restricted to the various forms of broadcast media. Words spoken during an angry impulse – or simply without careful consideration – between spouses, parents and children, or siblings, can cause considerable pain in the home. In the workplace, where expectations can be very high and job pressures very intense, emotionally charged words often pierce as deeply as a sharpened blade.
Motives behind harsh words can be many – frustration, hostility, envy, pride, jealousy, anger. Many times, once inappropriate words have been given voice, we wish we could retrieve them like trash thrown out of a window. Unfortunately, the harm is usually already done; poisonous thoughts leaving a deep mental imprint.
What is the solution? So much of life is spontaneous, even words that are uttered carelessly. How can we avoid inflicting such verbal destruction on people we work with, care for, even love? The book of Proverbs, found in the Bible’s Old Testament, has some ideas well worth considering:
Protect your words as precious possessions. Just as the talk show host paid a high price for words spoken thoughtlessly and with extreme insensitivity, we also should be aware of the consequences of poorly considered comments, no matter how fitting they seem at the moment. “But I really didn’t mean how it sounded” is generally a weak and unacceptable defense. “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3).
Don’t let emotions rule your tongue. Remain consciously aware of the potential dangers of making rash, emotional statements you could later regret. Pausing to carefully consider what you are about to say can save you from having to try to undo or remedy the hurtful impact of words unwisely spoken. “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered” (Proverbs 17:27).
When in doubt, keep quiet. A statesman once said, “Better to remain quiet and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Especially under duress, or in emotionally charged situations, we are tempted to speak thoughts as soon as they arise. However, we need to be cautious not to give someone a piece of our mind that we cannot afford to lose. “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue” (Proverbs 17:28).
Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress).
CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Please direct any requests or change of address to: www.cbmcint.org
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me” or something similar? How do you react to such a statement?
2. Can you recall a time recently when someone said something hurtful to you in a moment of intense emotion – or when you spoke harmful words to someone out of your own emotional state? What was the result?
3. The New Testament book of James calls the tongue “a small part of the body, yet it makes great boasts…a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body” (James 3:5-6). Do you agree with those statements? Why or why not?
4. What steps – if any – do you think you (or someone that you know well) should take to avoid the destructive consequences of expressing inappropriate, insensitive or inconsiderate thoughts? Are any of the insights from the verses in Proverbs helpful?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider some other passages that concern this topic, turn to the following passages:
Proverbs 4:24, 10:19-21, 10:32, 11:13, 12:14, 12:18, 15:1, 16:23, 18:2

週一嗎哪

服事全球工商界
2007.6.25
昂貴的物品 － 是福氣或負擔？
在1976年我向朋友買了一只二手的勞力士錶，我付他150美元。買了那錶之後的六年間，我每天都戴著它。那期間我花了六百多美元的修理費，甚至有一次我還寄到瑞士去清潔及潤滑。漸漸地，我覺得每天戴著這麼昂貴的手錶太不實際了。我覺得開法拉利跑車去上班還比較合理。
有一天，我到芝加哥參加一個商展，遇到一位陌生人願意付1,200美元現金買我那只勞力士錶。雖然我尚未計劃賣錶，但當時我毫不猶豫，立刻就賣給他。然後第二天，我去一家我很喜歡的百貨公司，用50美元買了一只非常便宜的錶，讓我淨賺1,150美元，我實在太快樂了。我很愛那只勞力士錶，也很欣賞它的精湛手藝，但它已變成一個不必要的負擔。
老牌影星保羅紐曼有多次被拍到，戴著與我同款式的勞力士錶。那一款式就一直被稱為「保羅紐曼錶」。可能他戴起來比我實用多了。
在賣掉我那勞力士錶之後，我開始注意到廣告上那款勞力士錶的價格是3,000美元以上。目前那款錶的標價是17,000美元。而最近一次拍賣會上，那款錶以84,000美元成交。
我是否後悔以1,200美元賣掉那勞力士錶呢？一點也不。當然，我寧願我是以$17,000賣出，而不是$1,200。但對我而言，擁有17,000美元的錶會是一個很大的負擔。這負擔比我戴上它的快樂還大。可能只有我是這種感覺，但我絕不要戴價值那麼高昂的錶，要花工夫保護它的安全，還要定期保養修理。這些都太麻煩了！
聖經新約希伯來書12章1節說：「就當放下各樣的重擔，脫去容易纏累我們的罪，存心忍耐，奔那擺在我們前頭的路程。」昂貴的錶、汽車或吉他，本身並非不好，但它們一定會成為我們的重擔，阻礙我們過不為「物質」憂慮、自由自在的生活。
我認識一些人因擁有非常昂貴的照相機，就不把照相機帶出門；因有昂貴的樂器，就從不彈奏它；因有昂貴的汽車，就不開出去。我想，擁有這些會帶來某種程度的快樂。但對我而言，它們是使我不能自在享受生活的負擔。我不是擁有它們，而是它們擁有我。
我現在戴的錶是從一個賣場的小攤販買來的。那不是勞力士錶，但也運作得很好，告訴我準確的時間。而且我已決定，當它停止運轉，我不必費心去修理或保養。我只要把它丟掉，再買一只就好了。它可能不像勞力士那麼有名，但對我而言，它的方便性就很值得了。
思想 / 討論題目
你是否同意本文作者對勞力士錶的態度？你會不會質疑，他沒有先評估那錶當時的價值，就衝動地賣錶？為什麼？
他認為：昂貴的物品帶來許多麻煩，使我們的生活增加不必要的複雜性。你是否同意這論點？請解釋。
你現在（或過去）擁有最昂貴的東西是什麼？若你突然遺失那東西，你會有什麼感覺？
「不是我擁有它們，而是它們擁有我。」你對這主張有何看法？你認為這句話是什麼意思？你是否同意？我們要如何被物品所擁有？
註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言11章28節，15章6節，15章16節，18章11節，30章8-9節；馬太福音6章19-34節，19章16-24節；路加福音12章16-21節
CBMC 中華民國總會
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net

MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
June 25, 2007
EXPENSIVE THINGS – BLESSING, OR BURDEN?
By: Jim Mathis
In 1976, I bought a used watch from a friend. It was a Rolex Daytona Cosmograph. I paid him $150 for it. I wore it every day for the next half dozen years. During that time I spent about $600 to $700 to keep it in proper running condition. This even included sending it to Switzerland on one occasion for cleaning and lubrication. Gradually it became apparent to me that wearing such an expensive watch every day was not practical. In a way, it seemed to make as much sense as commuting to work in a Ferrari. One day I was attending a trade show in Chicago when a man I had never met offered me $1,200 in cash to purchase the watch off my arm. Even though I had not been planning to part with the watch, I sold it to him immediately, without hesitation. Then I went to a favorite department store the next day and bought a very inexpensive watch for $50, leaving me with a tidy profit of $1,150. I could not have been happier. I loved the Rolex, and appreciated its fine workmanship, but it had become an unnecessary burden. Over the years Paul Newman, the legendary actor, has been photographed several times wearing a watch exactly like my old Rolex, and that model has since become known as the “Paul Newman Watch.” Perhaps he found the watch to be more practical than I did. Not long after I sold my Rolex, I began to notice ads from people offering to buy Rolex Daytona watches for $3,000 or more. The current book value for that particular model, as I understand it, is $17,000. And recently one was sold at an auction for $84,000. Do I regret selling my Rolex for $1,200? Not at all. Certainly I would rather have $17,000 than $1,200. But to me, possessing a $17,000 watch would be a tremendous burden, even greater than the watch was to me before I decided to sell it. This may be true only of me, but I could never wear a watch that valuable, and the chore of keeping it safe and in good working order would have been far too bothersome. In the Bible’s New Testament, Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us lay aside every weight…and run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Expensive watches, cars, or guitars are not bad things in themselves, but they can certainly weigh us down and hinder our ability to live as freely as we would like, unencumbered by worries about our “stuff.”
I know people that have cameras so expensive that they never take them out of the house; musical instruments so expensive that they never get played; and cars so expensive that they never get driven. I suppose the knowledge that you have them brings a degree of pleasure, but to me they are burdens that keep us from life. Rather than owning them, they seem to own us. The watch that I wear now I bought at a kiosk at a local shopping mall. It is not a Rolex, but it works just fine, telling me the time very accurately. And I have already decided that when it stops, I don’t have to bother with any complicated repairs or maintenance. I can simply throw it away and buy another one. It may not carry the prestige of a Rolex, but for me it more than compensates for that with its convenience.
Jim Mathis is Executive Director for CBMC in Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A., where he oversees Homer’s Coffee Shop. He and his wife, Louise, formerly were co-owners of a camera and photo processing shop in Overland Park, Kansas.
CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Web site: http://www.cbmcint.org/
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. Did you agree with Jim Mathis’s attitude toward his Rolex watch? Do you question his impulsive decision to sell the watch, rather than first determining the “going rate” for the time piece? Why or why not?
2. Do you agree with his contention that costly possessions can be more trouble than they are worth, that they can bring unnecessary complications into our lives? Explain your answer.
3. What is the most valuable material possession that you have – or have owned in the past? How would you feel if you suddenly lost it or had it taken away from you?
4. What is your reaction to the comment that sometimes, instead of owning valuable things, they can “own” us? What do you think that statement means, and do you agree with it? How can we avoid being “possessed by our own possessions”?
If you would like to look at or discuss other portions of the Bible that relate to this topic, consider the following brief sampling of passages:
Proverbs 11:28, 15:6, 15:16, 18:11; 30:8-9; Matthew 6:19-34, 19:16-24; Luke 12:16-21

週一嗎哪
服事全球工商界
2007.6.11
職場上的危險

想像一下，當你辛苦地為你新成立的公司招募一批員工，卻發現在你所僱用的人中，每10人就有6人是不值得信任的。

根據約瑟森道德協會所作的研究，這比例很快就會成為職場常見的現象。他們調查36,122名高中生，發現61%過去一年曾作弊，39%曾為了省錢而說謊，28%曾偷商店的貨品或金錢。

這些學生代表了我們下一代的領袖。他們未來的僱主需要知道，公司文化將來可能面臨的風險。因為這叛逆的世代就代表他們公司的文化。「雖然不誠實在學校非常盛行，但這些年輕人一進入職場，不誠實的行為會立刻消失。」這種假設是不真實，且不切實際的。

約瑟森的研究強調只有2%的作弊、說謊者被抓到，且只有一半的人受到糾正、處罰。我們可以合理地推論：其他98%的人不會相信，不道德的行為是不能被接受的。

因為這些年輕人尚未被要求去面對不道德、不誠實的後果，所以他們再次欺騙的可能性非常高。他們認為自己錯誤的行為不會被發現。事實上，有些人會變得更大膽，願意冒更大的風險－－都是為了自我中心的目標，即使這樣的行為會損害自己的公司。

因為職場有這逐漸增加的現象，招募員工的挑戰就愈來愈大。若你要在公司維持高道德標準，在來應徵的人當中，能分辨出可靠的人格特質就變得很重要。僱用品格高尚的人當然會變得更困難，但花力氣去分辨，在這高競爭的工商界，很可能會帶來更大的效益。

在出埃及記18章，葉忒羅給女婿摩西一個很有智慧的建議，在21節：「要從百姓中揀選有才能的人，就是敬畏神、誠實無妄、恨不義之財的人，派他們作千夫長、百夫長、五十夫長、十夫長管理百姓。」

這項建議最困難的部份在於，決定誰符合這些標準。然而，事先知道要尋找那些特質，就可幫助我們挑選。我們都要「能幹」、道德標準比別人高的人為我們工作。我們要渴望成功、卓越的人，但不要為達目的不擇手段。

若你負責聘僱年輕員工，我建議你參考葉忒羅的意見。若你如此做，你就能在39%值得信任的人中選出員工，而不是從61%不誠實的人中選出員工，最後損失慘重。

思想 / 討論題目
1. 你是否觀察到你辦公室裡，道德行為與整體正直有任何負向的改變？若是，這現象是如何變明顯的？

2. 你是否同意，若年輕人沒學到不誠實的行為會有重大的後果，當他們進入工商界他們就還是維持不道德的態度與行為？為什麼？

3. 在你工作的場所，有沒有正式的規章，讓員工知道那些是可被接受、被期待的道德行為？若有，是什麼規定？若無，你認為可採取什麼步驟，在員工互動時，促進並鼓勵正直？

4. 你對葉忒羅提供給摩西的建議有何看法？用在21世紀的職場是否合適？請解釋。

註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言10章9節，11章1節，11章3節，12章19節，13章17節，19章5節。20章17節，20章25節


CBMC 中華民國總會
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net
MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
June 11, 2007

DANGER ON THE WAY FOR THE WORKPLACE
By: Rick Boxx

Imagine the difficulty of trying to staff a new business if you were to discover that six out of every 10 employees that you have hired were not trustworthy.

This could soon become an everyday reality in our workplaces, according to a study conducted by the Josephson Institute of Ethics. Their survey of 36,122 high school students discovered that 61 percent of these young people have cheated on an exam in the past year, 39 percent have lied to save money, and 28 percent have stolen merchandise or money from a store.

These students represent our next generation of leaders. Their future employers need to be aware of the potential risk to their corporate culture that will be presented by those who are a part of this wayward generation. It seems unrealistic and impractical to presume that the dishonesty that has become so prevalent in educational institutions will suddenly disappear once the young people enter the workplace.

The Josephson study underscores the fact that only two percent of these cheaters and liars are caught, and only half of those receive any kind of corrective punishment or discipline. The remaining 98 percent, we can reasonably conclude, have little or no reason to believe that ethical misconduct is unacceptable.

Because these young people have not been required to face the consequences of unethical and dishonest behavior, the likelihood that they will cheat again in some manner remains very high. They simply assume that their wrongdoing will remain undetected. Some, in fact, will become more bold and willing to take even greater risks – all in the name of achieving their self-centered objectives, even if such action compromises the organizations that employ them.

Because of this looming workplace reality, significant hiring challenges are going to arise. Being able to identify positive, dependable character qualities among prospective employees will become critical if you desire to build a workplace that promotes high integrity and ethical standards. The art of hiring quality people certainly will be more difficult, but the additional effort most likely will pay even greater dividends in the competitive business environment.

In Exodus 18, Jethro gave his son-in-law, Moses, wise counsel about what kind of people he should hire. In verse 21, Jethro said, “But select capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.”

The difficult part of this advice involves determining which individuals meet these criteria. However, knowing in advance what qualities to look for will help. We all want “capable” men and women working for us, individuals who recognize a moral and ethical standard higher than themselves. We want people with a desire to succeed and excel, but without employing dishonest practices to attain those goals.

If you are in a position of hiring young people, I recommend that you review and seek to implement the advice of Jethro. If you do this, more than likely you will end up being able to select workers from among the 39 percent of students who have been trustworthy, rather than the 61 percent that may prove costly because of their dishonest and unethical character traits.





(Copyright 2007, Integrity Resource Center, Inc.) Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. For more information about receiving Integrity Moments in their e-mail box, write to: rboxx@IntegrityMoments.com and type "subscribe" in the subject line or visit his website, http://www.integrityresource.org/.

CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Web site: http://www.cbmcint.org/
Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Have you observed any negative change in ethical behavior and overall integrity in your workplace? If so, how has this become evident?





2. Do you agree that if young people do not learn that there are consequences for dishonest actions, they will retain their unethical attitudes and practices upon entering the business and professional world? Why or why not?





3. At your organization, are there any formal codes or guidelines to inform employees of acceptable, expected ethical practices? If so, what are they? If not, what steps do you think can or should be taken to promote and encourage integrity and honesty in all interactions?





4. What do you think of the advice that Jethro offered to Moses – is it reasonable for applying to the 21st century marketplace? Explain your answer.







NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider other passages that relate to this topic, look up the following verses from the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 10:9, 11:1, 11:3, 12:19, 13:17, 19:5, 20:17, 20:25

週一嗎哪
服事全球工商界
2007.6.4

領袖都到哪去了？

艾科卡是一位非常卓越的執行長，他曾經成功地拯救了汽車製造商克萊斯勒。最近他寫了一本書「領袖都到哪去了？」我尚未閱讀這本書，但這書名確實提出了一個有趣的問題－－領袖都到哪去了？

若你要20個人定義或描述優秀的領導，你可能會得到20個非常不同的觀點。對有些人而言，領導就是完全控制屬下所做的事。有的領袖喜歡「微管理」，堅持要知道並管理發生在周遭每件事的細節。有的領袖則比較願意放手，授權給屬下。

對所有領袖而言，雖然沒有一種領導方式是理想的，但我們還是要談論授權給屬下的領袖。以下是中國哲學家老子所寫道德經中的一段話：
「太上，不知有之；其次，親而譽之；其次，畏之；其次，侮之。功成事遂，百姓皆謂：「我自然。」
（最佳領袖，讓人民幾乎感覺不到他的存在；次好領袖，會讓人民尊崇讚揚；再次一等，讓人民害怕；再次一等，讓人民痛恨。當領袖把事情做完後，人們會說：「這是我們做的。」）

有趣的是，這同樣的原則也出現在聖經中，但是以一種稍微不同的方式說出：「凡事不可結黨，不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀；只要存心謙卑，各人看別人比自己強。各人不要單顧自己的事，也要顧別人的事」（腓立比書2章3-4節）。

在我作生意的初期，我有一個經理堅持定期與一位員工一起工作。對有些領袖而言，這種行為是自貶身份。他們說：「領袖只要下命令，屬下就去做。」但對我那經理而言，這是他為屬下設立典範的方式。他說：「我絕不要任何人去做我也不願做的事。」而且，我發現他說到做到。他謙卑地認為別人與他一樣平等，即使他們擔任較不重要的角色。而且我們感受到他將我們的利益擺在第一位。

不幸的是，我很少看到其他領袖有和他一樣的態度。大部份的領袖都太了解自己擁有權力、高人一等的地位，他們怕我們忘記這一點，所以常常提醒屬下自己的「優越」。然而這不是領導，而是自我中心，且有時是濫用權力。

以下是聖經對領導的另外兩項觀察：
領袖隨時都知道跟隨者的需要。為了有最佳表現，員工的基本需要必須被滿足－－適當的薪資與合適的工作環境，對複雜的工作提供足夠的支援，領袖清楚的溝通，敏銳於員工所面臨的個人問題。「你要詳細知道你羊群的景況，留心料理你的牛群…羊羔之毛，是為你做衣服；山羊是為作田地的價值」（箴言27章23-26節）。

在動盪的時刻，領袖提供穩定。當領袖軟弱，跟隨者會困惑，且會導致混亂。當領袖沒有發揮功能，任何人都能擔任這角色。一位堅強的領袖會清楚說明公司的方向與目標，如此跟隨者才能支持，並對這共同的使命作出貢獻。「邦國因有罪過，君王就多更換；因有聰明知識的人，國必長存」（箴言28章2節）。

思想 / 討論題目
1. 你如何定義或描述好的領袖？

2. 在你共事過的人中，誰是最佳領袖？

3. 現今的世代很少有領袖會藉著關心跟隨者的最佳利益，去真正地激勵鼓舞跟隨者。你同意這論點嗎？為什麼？

4. 現今的市場有許多的不確定，領袖能作什麼去鼓舞人們信任自己與自己的公司？

註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言10章9節，11章17節，15章33節，24章5-6節，26章16節，29章4節


CBMC
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net

MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
June 4, 2007

WHERE HAVE ALL THE LEADERS GONE?

By: Robert J. Tamasy

Lee Iacocca, an extremely high-profile executive that was credited with salvaging the automobile manufacturer then known as the Chrysler Corporation, has recently written a book called “Where Have All the Leaders Gone?” I have not read the book, but the title does raise an interesting question – where have all the leaders gone?

If you were to gather 20 people in a room and ask them to define or describe good leadership, you probably would get 20 very different points of view. For some, leadership means completely controlling what subordinates do. Other leaders like to micro-manage, insisting on knowing and managing every detail of what’s going on around them. Others prefer a more hands-off, delegative approach.

While there is not one particular style that is ideal for all leaders, there is something to be said about the leader who empowers those that work for him or her. Consider, for instance, this statement from the ancient Tao Te Ching, written by the Chinese philosopher, Lao-tzu:

“But as for the best leaders, the people hardly notice their existence, the next best the people honor and praise, the next the people fear, the next the people hate. But when the best leader’s work is done, the people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’”

Interestingly, this same principle is presented in the Bible, but stated in a somewhat different way. Philippians 2:3,4 tells us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Early in my business career, I had a manager that insisted on working alongside each of his employees on a regular basis. For some leaders, such a gesture would seem demeaning. “The leader gives the orders, others do the work,” they might say. But for Joe, the manager, it was his way of setting an example for those reporting to him: “I never ask anyone to do anything that I am not willing to do,” he explained. And as I observed, he meant what he said. In humility, Joe regarded others as equal to himself, even if they held less important roles, and we sensed that he kept our best interests foremost.

Since then, unfortunately, I have encountered relatively few leaders that have shared this same attitude. The majority of them have been too aware of their exalted positions of authority and, lest we forget, made sure to remind their subordinates frequently of their “superiority.” This is not leadership, however, but self-centeredness and sometimes, abuse of authority.

Here are two other related observations from the Bible about leadership:
Leaders maintain awareness of their followers’ needs. To perform to maximum effectiveness, employees must have basic needs met – adequate compensation, suitable working environment, sufficient assistance for complex projects, clear communication from leadership, and sensitivity to personal issues they may be confronting. “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds…the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field” (Proverbs 27:23-26).

Leaders provide stability in turbulent times. When leadership is weak, confusion results and can lead to chaos. When there is a leadership vacuum, anyone can step in. A strong leader clarifies the company’s direction and goals, so those who follow can support and contribute to the corporate mission. “When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order” (Proverbs 28:2).

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress).

CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Web site: http://www.cbmcint.org/

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. How would you define or describe a good leader?






2. Who is/was the best leader you have ever been associated with? What were some of the qualities that made that person an effective leader?







3. Do you agree with the contention that there are relatively few contemporary leaders that truly motivate and inspire by demonstrating that they keep in mind the best interests of those that follow them? Why or why not?







4. With all of the uncertainties of today’s marketplace, what can leaders do to inspire confidence and trust in themselves and their organizations?






NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider some other passages that concern this topic, turn to the following passages:

Proverbs 10:9, 11:17, 15:33, 24:5-6, 28:16, 29:4

週一嗎哪
服事全球工商界
2007.5.28
你知道自己有多特別嗎？

自己家兼辦公室的好處就是時間可以彈性運用。當有需要時，即使在我的工作時間裡，也可以處理個人和家人的事。這讓我有機會，每週一次帶我3歲的孫女去幼稚園。

有一天我去學校接她，一路上她不停地說著那一天發生的事。她的說話技巧比一些成人還要好。當她說到某件事時，她的評論讓我不禁大笑。在我止住笑後，我告訴她：「妳非常特別！」她毫不遲疑，正經八百地回答：「爺爺，你以前不知道我特別嗎？」

我的小孫女很幸福，有愛她的父母與祖父母常常告訴她，她很特別，所以她對這一點毫無疑問。她把自己的特別當作事實接受，正如她知道草是綠的，天是藍的。不幸的是，我們許多在工商專業界工作人，對自己的「特別」不是那麼有把握。

我們可能知道自己有獨特的能力、技巧、經驗和天賦。但我們真認為自己「特別」嗎？在職場上的人常常被認為是「可丟棄的資源」，當他們的價值減少，或有人可用更少的錢做同樣的工作，他們就被迅速丟棄。有些老闆對員工的好表現吝於稱讚，好像讚美是褻瀆，不可說出口。

所以在職場上，我們有些人從未聽過別人說我們有多特別、多寶貴。然而，在聖經裡，我們可以看到宇宙的神認為我們非常特別。例如，我們很熟悉的經文說：「神愛世人，甚至將祂的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信祂的，不至滅亡，反得永生」（約翰福音3章16節）。這節經文所提到「一切信祂」的人，也包括你！在另一節類似的經文，聖經說：「惟有基督在我們還作罪人的時候為我們死，神的愛就在此向我們顯明了」（羅馬書5章8節）。換句話說，即使我們不值得祂愛，祂還是接納我們。請思想聖經以下經文所說，在神眼中，我們的特別之處：

神對我們有特別的計劃。若有一公司歡迎我們加入，這公司的管理部門對我們有特別的計劃，讓我們擔任這組織中的某個職位。這種感覺實在很棒！在我們想到神之前，神已有清楚的意念－－對我們的生命有特別的計劃。「我知道我向你們所懷的意念，是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望。你們尋求我，若專心尋求我，就必尋見」（耶利米書29章11，13節）。

神對我們有特別的呼召。在職場及個人生活中，我們有一個特定的角色，這角色是特別設計來要我們去擔任。知道這一點會帶來極大的滿足與喜樂。聖經說，基督的跟隨者也有非常特別的「工作內容」。「固然是被人所棄的，卻是被神所揀選所寶貴的；你們來到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成靈宮，作聖潔的祭司…」（彼得前書2章4-5節）。

神為我們預備了特別的地方。記得你第一次看到你的辦公室時的興奮感，因為那地方是特別為你預備的。在聖經裡，耶穌也以永恆的觀念說同樣的話：「在我父的家裡，有許多住處；若是沒有，我就早已告訴你們了；我去原是為你們預備地方去」（約翰福音14章2節）。

思想 / 討論題目

1. 當你早上醒來，你是否覺得自己是特別的（請誠實回答）？為什麼？

2. 在你的公司，主管會不會強調員工的特質，讓員工覺得自己有價值，且特別？若你是可以說出別人價值的主管，你是否有抓住機會說？請解釋。

3. 若有人問你，你會說出自己有什麼特質，以顯示自己真的是一個獨特的人？

4. 聖經中有許多經文談到神對信徒的態度，他們在祂眼中的特別之處。這對你有什麼的意義？哪一節經文對你有特別的意義？


註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
詩篇37篇3-6節，40章1-5節；箴言16章3、9節；約翰福音17章20-26節；羅馬書8章28-31，35-39節
MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
May 28, 2007

DO YOU KNOW HOW SPECIAL YOU ARE?

By: Robert J. Tamasy

A benefit of working out of a home office is flexibility. When necessary, I can address personal and family needs during the course of my workday. It also has afforded me unique opportunities, such as when I was taking my then three-year-old granddaughter to her preschool class once a week.

One day I picked her up at the school and listened as she talked non-stop about her day. She already had better conversational skills than some adults that I knew. At one point, her comments made me laugh out loud. After I had regained my composure, I told her, “You are very special!” Without hesitation, she matter-of-factly replied, “You didn’t know that, Pop?”

My little granddaughter is blessed with loving parents and grandparents who indeed frequently tell her how special she is, so she does not doubt that at all. She accepts it as fact, just as she knows grass is green and the sky is blue. Unfortunately, many of us who labor in the business and professional world are not as confident about our “special-ness.”

We may be aware of unique abilities and skills, experience and gifts we bring to our chosen vocations, but do we really regard ourselves as “special”? Too often, people in the workplace are regarded as “disposable resources,” quickly discarded whenever their value diminishes or someone arrives who can do the same work for less money. Some bosses act as if they believe compliments and commendations for good performance are as offensive as profanity, unacceptable to be uttered.

So at least some of us may never hear, in the workplace, how special and prized we are. There is one place, however – the Bible – where we can see without question that the God of the universe regards us as very special. For instance, a familiar passage declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The “whoever” mentioned in that verse includes you! In a similar passage, the Bible states, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). In other words, even though we are not worthy of His love, God accepts us. Consider more of what the Bible says about our “special-ness” in God’s sight:

God has special plans for us. Doesn’t it feel good to be welcomed into a company knowing the management has special plans for how we will fit into the organization? Long before we had given God a thought, He already had clear intentions – a specific design for our lives. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’” (Jeremiah 29:11, 13).

God has a special calling for us. In the workplace, as in life, knowing we have a definite role, specially designed for us to carry out, can bring incredible fulfillment and joy. The Bible says that followers of Christ also have very special “job descriptions.” “…rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood…” (1 Peter 2:4-5).

God has a special place for us. Remember the excitement you felt the first time you were shown to your own office or work station, knowing that place had been reserved especially for you? In the Bible, Jesus says the same is true in an eternal sense. “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you…” (John 14:2).

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress) and is author of the newly published book, Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace (River City Press). For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or www.rivercitypress.net.

CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749
Please direct any requests or change of address to: www.cbmcint.org

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Be honest – when you awoke this morning, did you feel special? Why or why not?






2. At your workplace, is any emphasis given to making employees feel valued and special? If you are in a position of responsibility where you can give expressions of worth to others, do you use that opportunity? Explain your answer.







3. If someone were to ask you, what personal qualities would you cite to show that you truly are a unique, special individual?







4. Several passages from the Bible are listed that express God’s attitude toward those that are His followers – their special-ness in His eyes. What, if anything, does that mean to you? Do any of the verses cited have any particular meaning for you?







NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider some other passages on this topic, here are several to consider:

Psalm 37:3-6, 40:1-5; Proverbs 16:3, 9; John 17:20-26; Romans 8:28-31, 35-39

週一嗎哪
服事全球工商界
2007.5.21

攻擊、或逃避－－或其他更好的方法？

許多年前，在大學上心理學時，我學到當面對衝突時，人類的兩個反應是攻擊或逃跑－－也就是逃避問題或反擊。從那時起，我就發現逃避或報復是最自然的反應。但這是正確的反應嗎？

耶穌在當時，常常被認為是激進派，祂在今天還是如此。例如，祂不像心理學家，祂對衝突建議一個非常不同的回應：「不要與惡人作對，有人打你的右臉，連左臉也轉過來由他打。有人想要告你，要拿你的裏衣，連外衣也由他拿去。有人強逼你走一里路，你就同他走二里」（馬太福音5章39-41節）。祂說，這種回應是能夠使衝突變為建立良好關係的唯一方法。

衝突是人類常看到的情形，它發生在各個階層：在我們的家庭中、與朋友的關係、在職場、在政界、在國際關係、甚至在宗教場合。我們處理衝突的方式顯示我們的個性與器度。不論情況如何，衝突的解決方式都一樣。耶穌所教導處理衝突的方法與我們的自然反應完全相反。這方式似乎很奇怪，但它可補救破裂的關係。

史丹利．馬克士是一家高級百貨公司的創辦人。他說，曾有一位婦人來店抱怨她的輪胎沒用多久就磨損了。經理向她解釋說，他們百貨公司沒有賣輪胎，而且根本沒有汽車部門。但那婦人堅持她的輪胎是在這家百貨公司買的，且要他們立刻換輪胎。

雖然史丹利有權拒絕那婦人的索賠，但他最後多走一里路。他為她買了一組好輪胎，並為她付換機油的錢。他其實不需這麼做，但這種超級的客戶服務使他的百貨公司成為零售業的傳奇，且為他帶來一大群非常忠誠的顧客。

我們周圍有些人似乎總是在逃避困難，而不解決問題。面對自己受到的不公平待遇，其他人則選擇反擊、報復。但耶穌建議一個除了反擊或逃避以外的第三種選擇－－用愛心與理解回應－－這是最好的方法。

以色列的所羅門王被認為是世界上最有智慧人，他也提供一個類似的觀察。他發現不需用憤怒回應一個生氣的人：「回答柔和，使怒消退；言語暴戾，觸動怒氣」（箴言15章1節）。用仁慈的態度回應一個惡意的評論或甚至是嚴重的言語冒犯，才是真正高尚的品格。在以上三種回應衝突的方式中，用愛心回應當然是最困難的，且需要極大的力量與自制力才能作到。

在工商界，我已學到，用愛心與同情去回應問題，是建立顧客忠誠度的理想方法。當顧客不公平地抱怨時，我們很容易反駁。但若他要求你「陪他走一里路」，而你走超過一里路時，通常你不止得到一位朋友，也得到一位終身客戶。

在我所經營的咖啡店裡，有顧客抱怨咖啡不夠熱。雖然我可以證明那溫度夠熱，但我不會反駁。我只是道歉，並將他們的咖啡再加熱一點。如史丹利所說：「顧客永遠是對的。」他的意思是，若你以他們認為對的方式對待他們（即使他們是錯的），結果會讓你驚奇。


思想 / 討論題目

1. 當你面對衝突時，你一向如何回應？你是逃避或攻擊？請舉一個最近的例子。

2. 耶穌建議我們，面對不公平待遇時，不要攻擊或逃避，而要以耐心、愛心及理解去回應。你對這建議有何看法？你認為在今天的工商專業界，這種作法是否合適、合理？請解釋。

3. 面臨顧客明顯的錯誤，你對史丹利的回應有何看法？你認為他為何要那麼做？那種作法是否實際？

4. 請想想你曾面臨的衝突，最後是以逃避或攻擊收場。若你選擇以尊重、同情、理解回應對方，結果會有何不同？


註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言12章16節，14章29節，16章32節，18章19節；26章21節；馬太福音5章13-16節，33-37，43-48節

MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
May 21, 2007

FIGHT, OR FLEE – OR SOMETHING BETTER?

By: Jim Mathis

Years ago in a college psychology class, I learned that when faced with conflict, the two human responses are “fight” or “flight” – the choice of either fleeing from the problem or fighting back. Since then I have observed that running or retaliating seem to be the most natural responses. But are they the correct responses?

In his day, Jesus was often regarded as a radical and in many ways, he remains so today. For instance, unlike the psychologists, he suggested a very different response to conflict: “Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic,
let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:39-41). Such responses, he was saying, are the only ways to turn conflict into positive relationships.

Conflicts are a normal part of the human experience. They occur at all levels: in our families, relationships with friends, in the workplace, in politics, in international relations, even in religious environments. How we handle conflict says a lot about us – it reveals our character, as well as our stature in society. Regardless of the setting, accepted rules of conflict resolution are the same. Perhaps this is why Jesus’ teaching about how to deal with conflict seems so contrary to our natural response. It may seem radical, but it can also be very redemptive.

Stanley Marcus, a founder of the upscale Neiman-Marcus department stores, told the story about a woman who came into the store complaining that the tires on her car had worn out prematurely. The store manager explained Neiman-Marcus did not sell tires and did not even have an automotive department. But the woman insisted that she had purchased the tires at Neiman-Marcus and wanted them replaced immediately.

Although he had every right to refute the woman’s claim, Stanley Marcus essentially went the extra mile. He bought her a new set of tires and for good measure, also paid for an oil change. He did not need to do this, but such outrageous customer service made the Neiman-Marcus chain a legend in retailing and enabled them to develop a large, extremely loyal customer base.

All around us, some people always seem to be running from trouble rather than staying and dealing with issues. Others choose to constantly fight, retaliating against every perceived injustice. But Jesus suggested that rather than fight or flight, a third option – to respond with love and understanding – is the best choice of all.

A similar observation was offered by King Solomon of Israel, reputed to be the wisest man of all time. He observed that rather than responding to an angry person with anger, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Responding to an unkind comment or even a serious spoken offense in a kind manner is a true mark of character. Of the three possible responses to verbal conflict, responding in love and grace is certainly the hardest and requires the greatest strength and self-control.

In the business world, I have learned responding to a problem with love and compassion is the ideal way to build customer loyalty. It is easy to fight back when a customer complains unjustifiably. But if they ask you to “walk with them a mile” and you go beyond that, more often than not you gain a friend – and a customer – for life.

In the coffee shop I manage, I have had customers complain their coffee was not hot enough, even when I could prove that it was the recommended temperature. But whenever that happens, rather than disputing with them, I simply apologize and warm it a little more. As Stanley Marcus used to say, “The customer is always right.” What he meant is if you treat the customer as if he or she is right, even when they are not, the results will amaze you.

Jim Mathis is Executive Director for CBMC in Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A., where he oversees Homer’s Coffee Shop. He and his wife, Louise, formerly were co-owners of a camera and photo processing shop in Overland Park, Kansas.

CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749
Please direct any requests or change of address to: www.cbmcint.org

Reflection/Discussion Questions


1. What is your typical response when you are faced with conflict? Do you prefer to flee, or to fight? Give a recent example.






2. What do you think about Jesus’ suggestion that rather than either fighting or fleeing, we simply respond to injustices we suffer with patience, love and understanding? Do you think this is appropriate and reasonable in today’s business and professional world? Explain your answer.






3. What do you think of Stanley Marcus’s response to the customer who was clearly in error? Why did he react in such a way, in your opinion? Was it realistic?







4. Think of a situation when a conflict in which you were involved did result in either the flight or fight response. How might it have turned out differently if the parties involved had chosen instead to treat one another with respect, compassion and understanding?






If you would like to look at or discuss other portions of the Bible that relate to this topic, consider the following brief sampling of passages:

Proverbs 12:16, 14:29, 16:32, 18:19, 26:21; Matthew 5:13-16, 33-37, 43-48

2007-5-14
在變化無常的世界裡有信心

想像你的手緊緊地握住高空鞦韆的把手，眼睛看了看80英尺以下的地面。當你深呼吸，從平台上盪出去，就將腦中的一切疑慮拋開，不去擔心你的表演夥伴是否會接住你。

當你盪得愈來愈高，到達最重要的關鍵點，你是否會鬆開把手，放掉自己的所有控制權？或者你會繼續握緊鞦韆的把手，盪回平台上，讓你的夥伴和觀眾失望？

若你鬆開把手，就是向夥伴展現你毫不懷疑的信心，相信他/她會掌握準確的時間，且有足夠的力量接住你。你的這個希望是根據過去的經驗，但這一刻還是未知數。幾年前我看馬戲表演時，看到了空中飛人扣人心弦的演出。一位飛人表現出信心，另一位展現精準，都同樣地吸引人。

聖經新約希伯來書11章1節：「信就是所望之事的實底，是未見之事的確據。」我們許多人都會面臨需要我們有某種程度的信心才能作出的決定，雖然那決定不一定是在80英尺的高空中盪鞦韆。我們信心的焦點可能是，我們要將一件重大的企劃案交給一位員工處理，而這位員工不一定能做得像你這麼好。或者，你的公司要建造或購買一個新設備，但你不確定在新設備完工時，營業收入是否足夠支付那設備的費用。

在工商界，尤其是21世界中，每一天的風險都需要我們有某種程度的信心去因應。當然你也可以堅守幾件確定的事，而避開不確定的事，但這可能會導致災難。若你逃避風險，可能只是暫時安全，後來可能會遭遇更惡劣的狀況。另一方面，藉著信心的一躍，可能帶來更大的報酬和更光明的未來。偉大的領袖、光榮的成就、和卓越的公司都是願意靠信心行動的結果。有時甚至是在事實似乎與重大決定相反的時候。

若你面臨事業上或個人生命中的關鍵時刻，請思想你的信心是在誰或什麼事上，然後就準備放開鞦韆的把手，將你的信心展現在你所信任的人或事上。這就是為何有成千上萬的人，每天工作都以禱告開始，表達他們對上帝的信心，因為神知道哪些事是我們盼望的。他們的禱告所反映的，不是他們想要的事物，而是對上帝的信心，因他們所敬拜、所服事的神是信實的，是關懷他們的，神會引導他們的思想、話語及行動。

摩西死後，約書亞承接帶領兩百萬以色列人的艱難任務。約書亞可能不確定自己是否能面對未來的困難，但上帝不斷地告訴他：「當剛強壯膽！」約書亞要如何剛強壯膽？上帝告訴他如何做到：「我豈沒有吩咐你嗎？當剛強壯膽！不要懼怕，也不要驚惶，因為你無論往哪裡去，耶和華你的神必與你同在」（約書亞記1章9節）。


思想 / 討論題目

1. 在你的工作中，你是否曾覺得像空中飛人的表演者，必須信任夥伴在你鬆手時會接住你？若是，請描述那情況並說明那感覺。

2. 本篇週一嗎哪引述希伯來書11章1節：「信就是所望之事的實底，是未見之事的確據。」另一個翻譯這麼定義信心：「我們所盼望之事的實體，我們尚未看到之事的證據。」你同意這個定義嗎？你會如何用自己的話解釋信心？

3. 你是否曾將你每天的工作視為信心的表現？或者這對你而言是一個新的看法？請解釋。

4. 面對今日商場上未知和不確定的事，你是否已發現禱告是處理這些事的最佳辦法？為什麼？


註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
馬太福音6章28-34節，17章20-21節；羅馬書1章17節，10章17節；以弗所書6章16節；希伯來書10章22-23節，11章6節

MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
May 14, 2007

FLYING FAITH IN A FICKLE WORLD

By: Rick Boxx

Imagine your hands firmly gripped on the trapeze handle as you glance down 80 feet or more at the floor below. As you take a deep breath and shove off from the trapeze stand, you push any doubts from your mind; doubts about whether or not your aerobatic partner will be waiting to catch you when needed.

As you swing higher and higher you arrive at the crucial defining moment. Are you going to release the handle of the trapeze, along with your total control over the outcome, or are you going to hang on and return to your perch, disappointing the crowd – and your performing teammate?

If you release the handle you are unequivocally demonstrating your faith in your partner, that his or her timing – and grasp – will be perfect. Your hopes would be based on your past experiences, but this moment is still in question. As I watched a Cirque du Soleil performance some time ago, I witnessed this incredible scenario play out in just moments. The faith required on the part of the participants, and the precision with which it was handled, were equally impressive.

In Hebrews 11:1 of the Bible’s New Testament, we are told, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Many of us are faced with decisions that require us to exercise some measure of faith, even if it’s not exactly flying on a trapeze 80 feet in the air. The focus of our faith may be a major project that must be passed off to an employee who may or may not be able to do it as well as you could. Or maybe it involves building, or buying, a new facility for your business, with no guarantee on whether your sales will be strong enough to cover the cost when the work on the structure is completed.
In the business world, perhaps even more than ever in the 21st century, each day brings risks that require some degree of faith. Of course, you could cling to the few things that seem assured, avoiding the uncertain, but that could lead to disaster. If you avoid the risk you may be safe for now, but likely will encounter serious embarrassment – or worse – later. Taking a leap of faith, on the other hand, can bring great rewards and a bright future. Great leaders, accomplishments, and companies all result from the willingness to act in faith, sometimes even when the facts seem to contradict critical decisions.
If you are faced with a defining moment in your business, your career – or even your life – consider carefully who or what your faith is depending on, and then be prepared to let go of the handle of the “trapeze,” demonstrating your faith in the object of your trust. This is why millions of people – men and women – start each work day with prayer, expressing their faith in the God who knows for certain the things we can only hope for, who clearly sees those things that we cannot. Their prayers reflect not wishful thinking, but confidence and assurance that the God they worship and serve is faithful and attentive, and will guide their thoughts, their words and actions.
In the Old Testament, Joshua had assumed the daunting task of leading two million Israelites after the death of Moses. If anyone felt challenged about being sure of what he hoped for and certain of things he could not see, it was Joshua. But God repeatedly said to him, “Be strong and courageous.” How could Joshua do this? God told him how: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).


(Copyright 2007, Integrity Resource Center, Inc.) Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. For more information about receiving Integrity Moments in their e-mail box, write to: rboxx@IntegrityMoments.com and type "subscribe" in the subject line or visit his website, www.IntegrityResource.org.

CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749
Please direct any requests or change of address to: www.cbmcint.org
Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. In your business or professional career, have you ever felt like a trapeze artist that was flying through the air, trusting that your partner would not fail to catch you if you let go? If so, describe the situation and what the experience was like.





2. As we saw in this “Monday Manna,” Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Another translation defines it as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Do you agree with these definitions? How would you state what faith means in your own terms?





3. Have you ever regarded your typical work day as an act of faith, or is this a new perspective for you? Explain your answer.





4. In facing the unknowns and uncertainties of today’s workplace, have you found prayer a valuable resource in dealing with these issues? Why or why not?




NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider other passages that relate to this topic, look up the following:

Matthew 6:28-34, 17:20-21; Romans 1:17, 10:17; Ephesians 6:16; Hebrews 10:22-23, 11:6

週一嗎哪
服事全球工商界
2007.4.30

悲傷變為喜樂，失敗變為成功

前不久有一位智者觀察到一件我想了許久的事，他說：「悲傷是打開喜樂的門，而苦難是通向平安的路。」悲傷變為喜樂，苦難變為平安？這是什麼意思？這怎麼可能？畢竟我們一般人都會盡量避免悲傷與苦難。

當我繼續思想這似非而是的吊詭話語，我想到另一個必然的原則：「一味地追求成功，會走向驕傲與傲慢」。若悲傷、困苦與失敗會幫助我們走向喜樂、平安與謙卑，那麼成功（從未受過挫折）就很容易使我們陷入自我中心，太過於喜愛自己的成就，或太著迷於自己的事。

最近我訪問一位領袖，他說在他成長的過程中，因為父親灌輸他強烈的工作觀念，所以他相信若他夠努力，就絕不會失敗。但有一次，不論他多麼努力，他還是無法扭轉劣勢。

對那位領袖而言，那個危機變成一個使他有深刻學習的美好經驗。那危機使他改變了作生意的方法，也革命性地改變他對員工的看法。失敗並沒有減少他對殷勤努力工作的重視，但那是他第一次認知自己的有限。更重要的是，他了解自己需要倚靠神賜下他所缺乏的智慧與力量。

聖經也討論到這些議題－－喜樂常常隱藏在悲傷裡，而失敗是通往成功的道路：

當目標達成時，喜樂就代替痛苦。不論在商場、在家中或個人生命裡，往目標邁進的過程中，我們常經歷痛苦、沮喪。耶穌基督了解這一點，祂以生產為例向門徒說明，使他們對耶穌將面臨的痛苦有心理準備：「婦人生產的時候就憂愁，因為她的時候到了。既生了孩子，就不再記念那苦楚，因為歡喜世上生了一個人」（約翰福音16章21節）。耶穌知道他們會為祂的死，經歷極大的悲傷，但幾天後，他們的悲傷會被無限的喜樂取代。「你們現在也是憂愁，但我要再見你們，你們的心就喜樂了。這喜樂也沒有人能奪去」（約翰福音16章22節）。

失敗顯示出在何處我們可以找到成功。比起成功，我們可從失敗中得到更多。成功可能是許多我們無法控制的因素所造成的，可能純粹是幸運，或者在因我們在剛好的時間且在剛好的位置上，或是因我們努力且主動。但當我們失敗時，則很容易準確地指出失敗的原因。若我們誠實，許多時候我們會發現失敗的原因在於自己。那是幾世紀以前，以色列王大衛的發現：「我凡事平順，便說：『我永不動搖。』…但你掩了面，我就驚惶。…我向耶和華懇求說：『求你憐恤我。』你已將我的哀哭變為跳舞…給我披上喜樂」（詩篇30篇6-11節）。

身處在這個講求實際的世界裡，我們會發現自己常常相信、倚靠自己的公司、職位、財物、力量與能力。但這些可能一瞬間就消失，唯一不動搖，值得你信賴的錨是上帝。

思想 / 討論題目
1. 你曾否發現悲傷可生出喜樂，或苦難的結局是平安？若你或你認識的人曾經歷過這種情況，請說明那時的情形及結果。

2. 成功又如何？你可否想到什麼例子，不論是你自己或你周遭的人，因為不斷的成功，而變得驕傲，甚至傲慢？結果如何？為什麼？

3. 我們都經歷過失敗，不論在職場或個人生活中，失敗教導你什麼重要的功課？

4. 本文是否改變你對悲傷或失敗的態度？在你現在所面臨的情況中，雖然你正在忍受悲傷與失敗的感覺，若你的注意力改放在最後的產品－－喜樂與成功上，你是否能以希望與期待去面對？

註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
約書亞記1章6-9節；傳道書7章2-5節；羅馬書12章3節；哥林多後書7章5-10節；雅各書4章9-10節


CBMC
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net

MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
April 30, 2007

SORROW LEADS TO JOY, AS FAILURE LEADS TO SUCCESS
By: Robert J. Tamasy

Some time ago a wise individual made an observation that I found myself pondering for days. He said, “Sorrow is the door to joy, and affliction is the path to peace.” What did he mean, sorrow leads to joy, and affliction to peace? How could that be? After all, if there is anything that we typically seek to avoid, it is sorrow and affliction.

As I continued to consider that striking, paradoxical statement, I arrived at another insight that seemed to be a corollary principle: “Unrelenting success is the way to pride and arrogance.” If sorrow, affliction and failure can serve to lead us to joy, peace and humility, then it would seem that success – untarnished and unrestrained by life’s setbacks – can easily cause us to get caught up in ourselves, to delight too eagerly in our accomplishments or become too enthralled with our own press clippings.

Recently I interviewed a man who declared that because his father had instilled such a strong, unrelenting work ethic into him as he was growing up, “I honestly believed that I could not fail if I worked hard enough.” There was only one problem. The time came, he admitted, when “I failed and no matter how hard I worked, I could not turn (my dire situation) around.”

This crisis, as it turned out, proved to be a wonderful and profound learning experience for this leader, one that ultimately transformed his approach to business and revolutionized his perspective of the people who worked for him. Failure did not diminish his appreciation for the value of hard work and diligence, but for the first time he was able to recognize his own limitations. Even more important, he realized his need to rely on God for the wisdom and strength he did not possess on his own.

The Bible speaks directly to these issues – the reality that joy often is concealed within a wrapping of sorrow, and that failure can clear the path to success:

Joy replaces pain when the goal is attained. Whether in business, home life or personal pursuits, we often experience pain and distress in the process of pursuing desired goals. Jesus Christ understood this. Speaking to his followers to prepare them for agonies he soon would face, he used the analogy of birth: “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come, but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world” (John 16:21). Jesus knew while they would experience intense grief at his death, days later their sorrow would be replaced by limitless joy. “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22).

Failure reveals where true success is found. For some reason, we typically learn more from failure than from success. Success can result from many factors beyond our control – ranging from simple luck to just being in the right place at the right time – as much as it can come from hard work and initiative. But when we fail, it seems easier to pinpoint the cause. Many times, if we are honest, we discover that the cause for failure lies with ourselves. That is what David, king of Israel, understood centuries ago: “When I felt secure, I said, ‘I will never be shaken,’…but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. To you, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy…. You turned my wailing into dancing…you clothed me with joy” (Psalm 30:6-11).

Living in a tangible world, we find ourselves tempted to trust and depend on our companies, positions, material possessions or innate strengths and abilities. But any and all of these can be lost in moments. The only immovable, trustworthy anchor is God.

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress).

CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: cbmcint@cbmcint.org
Web site: www.cbmcint.org Please direct any requests or change of address to: nbrownell@cbmcint.org

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever found joy being birthed out of sorrow, or peace becoming the end result of affliction? If you have experienced this, or someone you know has, describe the circumstances and how this came about.






2. What about success? Can you think of examples, whether in your life or the lives of people around you, which show how repeated success led to pride and perhaps even arrogance? How did that come about – and why?






3. We all have experienced failure at one time or another. What are some important lessons that failure has taught you, whether in the workplace or in your personal life?





4. Does this discussion change your attitude at all toward sorrow or failure? Are there any situations you are now facing that you can approach with a greater sense of hope and expectation if you concentrate on the end products of joy and success while you endure present sorrow or feelings of failure?









NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review some other passages that relate to this topic, consider how the following verses convey vision:

Joshua 1:6-9; Ecclesiastes 7:2-5; Romans 12:3; 2 Corinthians 7:5-10; James 4:9-10

週一嗎哪
服事全球工商界
2007.4.23
尋求別人的利益

我現在正在研究為何有些人無論做什麼事都會成功，而有些人做任何事卻總是不順利。

我認為在聖經的新約中可找到一個線索。在腓立比書2章4節使徒保羅寫道：「各人不要單顧自己的事，也要顧別人的事。」聖經的另一種版本用這樣的方式來陳述這個勸告：「將自己放在旁邊，幫助別人前進。不要只想為自己得利益。要忘掉自己，幫助別人。」

這不只是一個好的聖經忠告，也可能是我所能想到最好的商業忠告。齊格樂是一位激勵人的演說家，也是商業諮詢師。他常說：「你可以得到生命中所有你想要的事物，只要你幫助別人得到他們想要的。」

在我經營的咖啡店裡，最近有的員工必須提早下班，有的又必須晚一點才能上班。我們試著去順應每個員工的需求，但問題是，若有一人要提早下班，或晚一點上班，或請病假，別人的計劃就必須改變。若有一人要晚一點上班，就意味著另有一人的下班時間要比原先計劃的更晚。若有一人想要將自己的計劃放在對工作的承諾之上，就意味著另有一人必須取消約會、改變晚餐計劃，或錯過一個重要的會議。

遺憾的是，我們通常不這麼看事情。我們將自己作的決定視為與別人無關，不會影響別人，或只有一點影響。然而在許多狀況中。我們的決定和選擇對別人有直接的影響。選擇去遵守一個承諾，可能有時會不方便。但遵守那承諾，可能會大大加強我們的能力，去符合一個重要的需求，或達到一個非常渴望的目標。

將別人的利益放在自己的利益之上或之下，長期下來會有一個結果－－贏家或輸家。自私一定會導致損失，尋求別人的利益則會將勝利帶給每一個人。

在我所經營的「荷馬咖啡店」裡，我們很幸運，在員工還很年輕時，他們就開始學習應用這個原則。我很高興能幫助這些年輕人去塑造他們的工作習慣，大大地增加他們成為贏家的機會。因為他們已學到服務、努力和尋求別人利益（即使要有某種程度的犧牲）的重要性。

我們常聽到「成為第一名」，而且自我中心似乎是我們每個人都有的特性－－至少有某種程度。將別人放在我們之上，需要一定程度的謙卑。願意為了別人的利益，而自己居下位。但不論在職場、在家中或在社區裡，謙卑總是一個吸引人的特質－－可能因為這特質很不容易找到。

所以，若你真的要與眾不同，更吸引別人注意，就要將別人的利益放在自己的利益之上。可能這行動就會漸漸成為你的習慣。

思想 / 討論題目

1. 在你工作的場所中，你曾否看過有人願意將別人的利益放在自己利益之上？那是如何做到的？你認為結果會是什麼？

2. 對於將別人的利益放在自己利益之上，你有何看法？這種作法是否有威脅性，因為一個人若不保護自己的利益，就會有危險？請解釋。

3. 本文引述齊格樂的話：「你可以得到生命中所有你想要的事物，只要你幫助別人得到他們想要的。」你對這句話有何看法？在你工作或生活中，你可否想出印證這句話的情形？

4. 要能將別人的利益放在第一位，必須要培養謙卑的態度。你認為謙卑如何能幫助我們將別人的利益放在第一位？

註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言16章19節，18章12節，29章23節；馬太福音23章11-12節；使徒行傳20章19-21節；彼得前書5章5-6節


CBMC
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net
MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
April 23, 2007

LOOKING OUT FOR OTHERS
By: Jim Mathis

One of my ongoing pursuits is trying to figure out why some people are successful at whatever they want to accomplish, while others always seem to be floundering, struggling at everything they do.

I think that one clue is found in the New Testament of the Bible. In Philippians 2:4, the apostle Paul writes, “Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.” Another version of the Bible states this admonition in this way: “Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

This is not only good biblical counsel, but also possibly the best business advice I can think of. Motivational speaker and business consultant Zig Ziglar has often said, “You can get everything in life that you want, if you help enough other people get what they want.”

At the coffee shop I manage, we have had a few issues lately with people either leaving early or arriving late to work. We try to accommodate people’s needs, but the real problem is that if one person has to leave early, arrive late, or call in sick, somebody else’s plans must change. One person being late for work means somebody else has to work later than they had planned. One person’s desire to put their own plans ahead of their work commitment means somebody else has to cancel an appointment, change dinner plans, or miss an important meeting.

Unfortunately, we often do not see things this way. We see the decisions we make as being isolated, with little or no impact on others. Yet in many cases, our decisions and choices have direct impact on others. Choosing to keep a promise may sometimes be inconvenient, but fulfilling that commitment may greatly enhance someone else’s ability to meet a critical need or achieve a highly desired goal.

The ability (or inability) to put other’s interests ahead of your own, over the long haul, translates to one thing – winners and losers. Selfishness always results in loss. Looking out for others always results in victory, for everyone involved.

We have been very fortunate in our business at Homer’s Coffee House to be involved in helping young people begin to learn and apply these principles early. It is a delight being able to help shape the work habits of these young people, greatly increasing the chances that they will be labeled with the winners, because they have learned the importance of service, hard work, and looking out for the interests of others – even when it requires some degree of personal sacrifice.

We often hear comments along the lines of, “Look out for Number 1” (yourself), and being self-centered seems to be a trait we all share – at least to some degree. Putting others ahead of ourselves requires a degree of humility, a conscious willingness to subordinate ourselves for the benefit of others. But whether it is in the workplace, the home, or in the community, this humility is always an attractive quality – perhaps because we see it so rarely.

So if you really want to be different and attract attention, practice putting others ahead of yourself. You might even find this kind of behavior habit-forming.

Jim Mathis is Executive Director for CBMC in Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A., where he oversees Homer’s Coffee Shop. He and his wife, Louise, formerly were co-owners of a camera and photo processing shop in Overland Park, Kansas.

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Reflection/Discussion Questions


1. Have you seen examples in your own workplace of people willing to put the interests of others ahead of their own? How was this accomplished, and what do you think was the result?






2. What do you personally think of this idea of putting other people ahead of yourself? Does it seem threatening in any way, reflecting a concern that if a person does not protect his or her own interests, they could be jeopardized? Explain your answer.






3. What do you think of the Zig Ziglar comment that was quoted, “You can get everything in life that you want, if you help enough other people get what they want”? Can you think of a current situation where this advice might prove helpful, where you work or in any of your other life pursuits?







4. It is suggested that a key to successfully putting the interests of others first is to cultivate an attitude of humility. How do you think this can – or should – be accomplished?







If you would like to look at or discuss other portions of the Bible that relate to this topic, consider the following brief sampling of passages:
Proverbs 16:19, 18:12; 29:23; Matthew 23:11-12; Acts 20:19-21; 1 Peter 5:5-6