To the degree that the business of church is like other businesses, I 'm grateful to bring some experience to this conversation. And I did do other jobs before I donned the collar, so to speak. Still, I'm grateful for the input of others coming into this message. People who've lived and worked in the tough and wily world of business. Specifically, I'm grateful for a very thorough outline given to me by one of our businessmen whose long career has been punctuated by his commitment to running his business "Proverbs style." His contributions on the topic of management, how to deal with clients, decision-making, finance, hard work, and employee oversight help to inform the message today.

One of the classic problems in business is over-promising. I have over promised, hoping to deliver a topical index today for your personal or small group use. Please stand by. I really do hope you'll have it next week and currently see no obstacle to your having it in hand next Sunday.

I've chosen six primary headings today. These are currents of thought within the Proverbs that represent the common wisdom of this school of wisdom writers - Solomon not the least. There are no surprises here; only reminders and affirmations of those truths that are evident within the conscience of any man or woman exposed to the character of God. We argue with these truths and principles at great risk of real peril. He or she who heeds these words is wise.

The first council has to do with our associations. With whom shall we align ourselves? What are the motives and means of those people that we join?

I should pause right here and note the council of Proverbs never berates hard work or an honest profit. While it's mostly a given, Proverbs is hardly antagonistic to the free enterprise system. There's nothing wrong with Profit.

But how is that profit gained? Associations matter. Don't travel the path of the wicked. Choose a path that's as squeaky clean as the first light of dawn. Don't desire that plunder of evil men. In other words, don't even climb aboard the gravy train of those who get rich by evil schemes. Stay away from the foolish.

Instead (12:26), a righteous man is cautious in his friendships. 15:22 says that plans fail for lack of counsel and with many advisors they succeed, but 18:24 warns that a man of many companies may come to ruin.

There are hazards in yoking ourselves with people, especially those who don't share our core values.

Like what, for example.

Diligence for one. Proverbs has more fun with this topic than any other. A lack of diligence - laziness - is permitted in one word - the sluggard. "How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." "Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who employ him". (10:26) "The sluggard craves and gets nothing (13:4) but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied."

On the other hand, 23:4 says "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint." Which is good counsel for a culture that tends to work too hard and stress too much in order to pay for a certain standard of living or a kind of amenities that might not be worth the exhaustion. Investment is other ways and others things might yield more real value.

But as a whole, Proverbs is tough on laziness and big on diligence. Work hard, work smart and show restraint when it comes to overworking for the sake of riches.

Third, Proverbs deals harshly with deception, craftiness and dishonesty, and pleads for the wisdom of honesty and integrity, From 6:18, "The Lord hates a heart that devises wicked schemes." 10:9 "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out." 11:1 tells us God "abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight." 28:8 warns against amassing wealth from exorbitant interest, suggesting that God will redistribute that wealth into the hands of someone who is kind to the poor. 28:6 says that it's better to be poor and blameless then rich at perverse. 14:8 the wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.

The next one is difficult in a California gold rush culture. 12:11 warns against chasing fantasies, and encourages working with the hand for abundant food. 13:11 honors working for money gathered little by little. 21:5 says that haste can lead to poverty. 14:27 says that same of mere talk versus hard work,

Now, about outcomes. Proverbs warns against ill-gotten gains, the income of the wicked, deceptive wages, dishonest money and gains brought about by injustices. It all brings trouble. There's no real value; it dwindles away; it brings punishment; it brings trouble on the families of those who deal in bad money.

But the wages of the righteous bring life, reap a reward, fill a house with treasures. 16:8 says "Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice." All of this suggests that some treasures, like honor and a good conscience, should never be traded in for gold.

Finally, another outcome. A good name. A good reputation. 3:3-4 says that with love and faithfulness, we win favor and a good name. 10:7 says that the memory, or the legacy of the righteous will be a blessing. 12:8 says that a man of wisdom will be praised, while those with warped minds will be despised. 22:1 says that a good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

And this is true.