Characteristics Worth Pursuing

How does a Biblical position help my business?

7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
- Titus 1:7-8

The don’t’s and do’s.
There are several things to run from and several things to run to in this text.

How do these engage prudence and piety?

You’ll be shocked* 🤯 to find that instruction in the Bible leads to wisdom (prudence) and honoring the Lord (piety).

A few highlights in this text that I’d like to pull out.

Do Not Be: Arrogant, Quick-tempered, or Greedy

Do Be: Hospitable, Self-Controlled/Disciplined, and A Lover of Good

*sarcasm

Business Effect

What value do these words bring to your business?

Prudence

“People quit, bosses not jobs”

As an owner or manager are you arrogant?

Or quick-tempered?

Greedy?

There are many proverbs that speak of the foolishness of giving vent to anger. OR the downfall of a greedy person.

What value would this bring to your company culture?

To be Hospitable. Self-Controlled and Disciplined. To be a Lover of Good.

Piety

The positive characteristics above honor the Lord.

The negative ones are the result of a hardened and sinful heart.

When looking at these examine which are prominent in your heart.

You can’t “white knuckle” yourself into self-control or love good.

SURE… you might trade laziness for pride—couch potato to Biz Owner.

Or a cluttered home to “Look how awesome my home looks, now that I keep it clean”
(yay for self-praise)

One sin for another.

But trading sins isn’t piety.

Increase Piety?

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Ask the Lord for Grace.

Ask for a pious heart.

Seek to remove the sinful actions from your heart.

Life

“I love my husband…He’s so arrogant and greedy. It’s so hot when he loses his temper. <3” - No Wife Ever

We often explain away our terrible actions.
“Our intentions were good. bummer it came across that way” says our inner dialogue.

Not only is the heart deceitful…it’s evil.

We need to test our actions against scripture.
Not our intentions or justifications.

To be a better husband, father, or leader we must soberly and ruthlessly compare ourselves to scripture.

When we fall short we repent and ask for the grace to be better.

When we succeed we thank the Lord for the grace HE provided to succeed.

Prudence

It’s a blessing to others when you’re more Christ-like.

Ask yourself what benefit would self-control bring to your home.

Better planning.
Better conversations.
Better interactions with your spouse and children.
Better decisions.

Those are a few.

Piety

Are you seeking to please the Lord with your actions?

Are you hoping your good deeds put you in favor with him?

These questions are important.

Examine yourselves against scripture.
And strive to do good.

16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
- Heb 13:16 ESV

Closing

I hope these words were challenging and encouraging.

I don’t have a clear picture of this newsletter’s format.
So it will change and topics will vary.

If you have any ideas or topics you want me to cover please respond to this email.

Thanks

Michael D. Kamm