From Failure To A Five-Star Review
Our Mission
To present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to business and professional men and to develop Christian business and professional men to carry out the Great Commission.
Mark 11.22 reports, Jesus said to them, have faith in God. Belief and faith are not synonymous. Regrettably these words have been used interchangeably within the Church to the detriment of the Church.
Belief is a thought that may or may not bring us to action. Sort of like most of us believe we should get more exercise and diet better but we don’t…Belief’s may or may not be true. We ‘believe’ they are true but we don’t always confirm those beliefs, and even if they are not really true, they are oftentimes true to us. Like when we believe our alma mater is the best. It may or may not technically be the best at anything and who defines best?
We don’t usually question our beliefs because they don’t always bear weight on our practical living. Faith is much different.
Faith is described in the Bible as the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11.1). Faith is taking action upon our belief. Faith is demonstrated by actions for it is the evidence of our beliefs.
Practically this means I give generously by faith trusting that God Who promises to meet my needs will do so for He has said it is better to give than to receive. I share my commitment to Jesus with others by faith that they will hear and believe or hear and reject but in either case God rewards the obedient who live as His witnesses. I forgive those who harm me by faith, leaving vengeance to the Lord Who claims such activity for Himself. I pray by faith, trusting that God hears those who pray according to His will and that He is working in the world to accomplish His priorities.
Faith is doing what God commands believing He will reward such actions either now or in the life to come. Belief accomplishes nothing for the kingdom of God. Believers may even work against the kingdom of God. Satan is a believer but he exercises no faith.
God says without faith it is impossible to please Him. This is true because belief without obedience is disobedience. Faith is believing God and His Word are true then taking action in accordance with His commands.
His Opportunities
- Tuesday, April 19th at the City Rescue Mission from noon until 1pm is your next CBMC Rescue Luncheon. This is your opportunity to serve lunch to the men and women who depend upon the Mission for their meal. Commit Here
- Michigan Prayer Breakfast May 18th at the Lansing Center. CBMC has a table. Tickets are $30 each. Breakfast is 7.30-9am. Email if you would like to attend. Norm Miller, Chairman of Interstate Battery will be the speaker.
- Next CBMC Special Luncheon is June 8th. Eagle Eye GC. Brig Sorber, Executive Chairman of Two Men & A Truck International will be our speaker.
- CBMC needs your help to continue its ministry to men in the marketplace. Please support CBMC today. DONATE
MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
A Publication of CBMC International
April 17, 2017
From Failure To A Five-Star Review
by Rick Boxx
Matt’s chest tightened as he listened to the voicemail from Roger, an unsatisfied client. What he was hearing was something no businessperson wants to hear: “Matt, we will not be needing your services any longer. Your company dropped the ball on this project.”
Initially, his reaction ranged from disappointment to feeling disheartened. Instead of making excuses or begging for a second chance, however, Matt responded out of conviction that he needed to do the right thing. He called the client, offering a 100 percent refund on the fee that had already been paid, as well as his personal guarantee to correct the problem.
Somewhat surprised that Matt did not respond in a defensive manner, the frustration and disappointment of his client, Roger, suddenly softened. Encouraged by the professional and caring manner by which Matt handled the situation, the client responded with a 5-star online review of Matt’s company. In addition, this turned apparent disaster into an opportunity to continue and even expand their business relationship.
Because Matt had been quick to acknowledge his company’s poor performance, potential failure turned into a stellar, 5-star review and recommendation.
Too often we are tempted to offer excuses when things go wrong, or shift blame elsewhere, rather than recognizing our personal and corporate shortcomings. However, as the Bible’s Old Testament book of wisdom points out, “He who conceals his sin does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
This is not a guarantee that admission of unsatisfactory service will always result in retaining customers, but it is a good principle to follow for these reasons:
Wronging a customer is also wronging God. “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them” (1 Kings 8:35).
Righting a wrong through restitution restores the relationship. “Speak to the sons of Israel, ‘When a man or woman commits any of the sins of mankind, acting unfaithfully against the Lord, and that person is guilty, and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged’” (Numbers 5:6-7).
Acknowledging a wrong brings healing for ourselves. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).
These principles offer powerful motivation for recognizing and making amends for doing wrong or failing to live up to our commitments in business. By taking ownership of our mistakes and admitting our failures can become an opportunity to showcase your heart. God, and others, will honor this.
Copyright 2017, 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. To learn more about Integrity Resource visit www.integrityresource.org (http://www.integrityresource.org/) . His new book, Unconventional Business, provides “Five Keys to Growing a Business God’s Way.”
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