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.

2 Timothy 2.25-26 encourages, perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive to do his will. The world is going crazy because people are increasingly doing crazier things. Granted, 24-hour negative news brings to our attention more crime, more violence and more human atrocity than we ever had before but still, does it seem like the world is running amok at a greater rate than ever?

The world has been in tough places before. It would have been hard times to be on the wrong side of Alexander the Great or Genghis Khan. It would have been hard times during the black plague. It was hard times during both world wars. It is hard times for those living wherever ISIS rules or seeks to rule. People endured those times past. We will probably endure these times as well. A quicker, better and more lasting solution would be to do things God’s way instead of constantly doing things our way.

With our might we can make things right, as long as we remain mighty. That’s the way we have been doing things anyway.  If we will allow He Who truly is Mighty, having the power to take life and send people to hell for eternity, to rule over us, we will find our lives and the lives of those around us, goes better. It goes better because God is good and has not only our best interest but the best interest of everyone at heart.

To get to God’s way requires two steps. Step one is to admit I have a problem and seek to turn away from it. The Bible identifies our problem as an inherent desire to have our own way needing to be first and foremost in everything. Simply put, we, the Bible declares, are sinners in need of a Savior. As long as I refuse to see myself as the inherent problem I will continue to have problems in this world. This doesn’t mean all of my problems are my own doing. You have problems too and sometimes spill them over onto me but coupled with my problems we now have amplified our situation and not made it better.

The second step, is to turn to God and His manual for life instruction. The Bible is the record of God in history, leading, guiding, teaching and working with humanity in order to help us live with Him and each other better. Constantly ignoring this gift and even marginalizing it as irrelevant keeps us from experiencing life as God intended: full, abundant, fruitful and peaceful.

It shouldn’t be hard to see we have a problem. The solution is simple, admit it and turn to God for direction.

His Opportunities

1. November 17th join CBMC and the YMCA in preparation for Christmas. Buy a table or contact CBMC to be a part of our contingent. More information HERE
   
   
2. CEO’s, are you looking for a private group of fellow business owners for encouragement, support, and advice? CBMC offers such a group.  Contact Mike at mwinter@cbmc.com for more information
   
   
3. CBMC needs your help to continue its ministry to men in the marketplace. Please DONATE

 CBMC Central Michigan 6011 W. St. Joseph Ste. 401 Lansing 48917  / 517 481 5996 www.lansing.cbmc.com

MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

November 6, 2017

 When You Work, Is It ‘Without Wax’

by Robert J. Tamasy

Since Monday Manna is received by countless thousands of people around the world speaking many different languages and living in a variety of cultures, there is a danger in introducing a topic based on a single English word. However, I hope this will translate well for all who read it.

A word that intrigues me is “sincere.” In fact, a popular song from years ago was called, “Are You Sincere?” One of those who recorded it was the legendary Elvis Presley. The real question is, what does it mean to be sincere?

This word comes from the Latin “sincerus,” meaning “clean, pure.” One dictionary defines it as “being without hypocrisy or pretense.” Recently I heard an explanation I like even better: Some claim in the days of antiquity, sincere literally meant “without wax,” from the Latin “sine” (without) and “cera” (wax).

In those days, when pieces of pottery or statues were broken or damaged, they often were patched with wax. Because the wax was transparent, it cleverly concealed any flaws. At least until it was heated and the wax melted. Then it let loose broken pieces it was holding together, or the pottery fell apart entirely. So, when people went to buy fine pottery, or statuary, they insisted it be “sincere” – without wax.

There are many qualities people look for in a business, whether it is where they work, or a company from which they buy products or services. Knowing that the people there are “sincere” would rank high among the traits. In doing business with others, we all probably would like it to be done “without wax.”

Unfortunately, too often we find sincerity absent from the equation. Whether through unsatisfactory employment practices, failure to keep commitments to customers, or delivering less than was promised, many enterprises repeatedly demonstrate lack of sincerity.

Most people do not expect perfect, flawless businesses. Because they are all comprised of imperfect, flawed individuals. However, when we purchase something – whether it be a computer, food products, an automobile, or anything else – we expect promises and assurances to be fulfilled. If someone is hired with the justifiable anticipation of having opportunities to advance within the organization, they should rightfully expect those in authority to be “sincere” in following through if the employee’s performance is satisfactory.  Here are some principles to consider when striving to build an organization or be people “without wax”:

Always striving to be others-oriented . Putting the needs of others ahead of our own is one way to ensure sincerity. “Love must be sincere…. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:9-10). 

Conducting all business above board. All agreements and transactions should be open, without deception. “A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice”(Proverbs 17:23). 

 Remaining faithful even in difficult times. Adversity can be revealing, putting sincere relationships to the test. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”(Proverbs 17:17).

 © 2017. Robert J. Tamasy has written Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Tufting Legacies; coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring, and edited numerous other books, including Advancing Through Adversity by Mike Landry. Bob’s website is www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com, and his biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

 CBMC Central Michigan 6011 W. St. Joseph Ste. 401 Lansing 48917  / 517 481 5996  lansing.cbmc.com

 MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

November 6, 2017

 Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Would you consider one criteria for trusting in a business, or a business or professional person, as being whether you believe they are sincere? Why or why not?

1. Can you think of a time when you discovered a company, or someone you were working with on a project, was not being sincere? What was the situation – and how did you respond?

1. How do you react to the description or interpretation of sincerity as being “without wax”? Explain your answer.

1. What does it require for a person to remain sincere – to demonstrate being “without wax” in the workplace – when pressures to produce, meet quotas and deadlines, and make a profit are often so intense?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about principles it presents, consider the following passages: Proverbs 4:23, 11:3, 16:2, 20:14; James 2:15-16;

James 5:22; 1 Peter 1:22

CBMC Central Michigan 6011 W. St. Joseph Ste. 401 Lansing 48917  / 517 481 5996  lansing.cbmc.com