獨善其身?
By Robert J. Tamasy
當我們用「把你自己管好」(mind your own business)這個字眼，通常是指不要管別人的閒事。但是，從事商業和專業的人，特別是企業主和高層主管，很可能都是獨善其身， 因為他們都有自己個人的目標和追求。一般人也是如此。
如果我們是很有自信的人，在做決策或解決問題的時候，很容易會傾向於只管自己的事。我們會覺得：「這個我可以自己來，不需要別人的幫助。」我們或許會這樣認為，但是要小心聖經中的提醒：「驕傲在敗壞以先；狂心在跌倒之前」(箴言16章18節)。「 敗壞之先，人心驕傲；尊榮以前，必有謙卑。」 (箴言18章12節)
「團結力量大」，每次我看到這句諺語，就會想到自己在出版和新聞的職場上，不知道看過多少次活生生的案例。一個人想要憑藉自己的力量成功是很不智的。聖經也告訴我們：
第一、三個臭皮匠，勝過一個諸葛亮。團隊合作為共同的目標合作，能夠分享彼此的智慧和經驗、看法和先見。「 無智謀，民就敗落；謀士多，人便安居。」(箴言11章14節)「不先商議，所謀無效；謀士眾多，所謀乃成。」 (箴言15章22節)「 鐵磨鐵，磨出刃來；朋友相感（原文是磨朋友的臉）也是如此。」(箴言27章17節).
第二、即使在諸事順利的時候，我們也需要別人的鼓勵。在困難和遇到試探的時候，我們更需要有人糾正我們。在繁榮昌盛的時候，我們需要支持，當我們覺得一切都理所當然的時候，一個關心我們的人能夠挑戰我們。「弟兄們，你們要謹慎，免得你們中間或有人存著不信的惡心，把永生 神離棄了。 總要趁著還有今日，天天彼此相勸，免得你們中間有人被罪迷惑，心裏就剛硬了。」 (希伯來書3章12-13節).
第三、每個人都能付出自己的一份心力。每個人都有不同的能力和天份，我們都能貢獻自己的一份心力來完成共同的目標。「兩個人總比一個人好，因為二人勞碌同得美好的果效。 若是跌倒，這人可以扶起他的同伴；若是孤身跌倒，沒有別人扶起他來，這人就有禍了。 再者，二人同睡就都暖和，一人獨睡怎能暖和呢？ 有人攻勝孤身一人，若有二人便能敵擋他；三股合成的繩子不容易折斷。」(傳道書 4章9-12節).
第四、當我們需要屬靈的引導時，其他人能夠幫助我們。很多工商業界和專業領域的人，都有值得信賴的夥伴或是導師，在有需要的時候，他們能提供建議、代禱支持甚至是告誡。「聖經都是 神所默示的（或譯：凡 神所默示的聖經），於教訓、督責、使人歸正、教導人學義都是有益的，叫屬 神的人得以完全，預備行各樣的善事。」(提摩太後書3章16-17節).
勞勃．泰默西是領袖資產協會的傳播部副部長，這是一個總部在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大的非營利組織。他寫過一本書「最佳狀態的商業：箴言給今日職場的歷久彌新智慧」（Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace）；他也與David A. Stoddard合著一本書「導師之心」（The Heart of Mentoring）
省思與問題討論
在讀到這篇週一嗎哪之前，當你聽到「把你自己管好」這句話的時候，會聯想到甚麼？ 你覺得完全不顧別人可能提供非常好的意見，只把自己管好的缺點是甚麼？ 你覺得在決策或解決問題的過程當中把其他的人包含進來，可能會有甚麼風險？或是有甚麼好處？ 在哥林多前書12章12-26節說:肢體互相合作才能使身體正常運作，你覺得工作也是如此嗎？請分享你的答案。
備註：如果你手上有聖經希望知道更多和這個主題相關的經文，請參考：箴言12章15節；13章1節；19章20節；25章12節；羅馬書12章3-8節；以弗所書4章4-16節
ARE YOU MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
By Robert J. Tamasy
When we use the term “minding your own business,” we typically refer to not getting involved in or interfering with someone else”s business. However, life in the business and professional world can often be a lonely, solitary pursuit. This is especially true for entrepreneurs and top executives, but it also applies to most of us, regardless of our position on the organizational chart.
If we are confident and self-assured, it can be easy to prefer to “mind our own business” and not engage with others in making decisions or seeking to solve problems. “I can do it myself.” “I want to pull myself up by my own bootstraps – I do not need anyone”s help.”
We may feel this way at times, but it is wise to consider the admonition, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). In contrast to that, we also read, “Before his downfall a man”s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor” (Proverbs 18:12).
I cannot count how many times I was involved in publishing a newspaper or magazine, when I saw the truth of the adage, “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.” There are many reasons trying to succeed in the business world by oneself is unwise. Here are some cited in the Bible:
None of us is as smart as all of us combined. Working together toward a common objective provides the opportunity for shared wisdom and experience, different perspectives and insights. “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure”(Proverbs 11:14). “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).
We need encouragement during good times, correction during times of difficulty and temptation. Even during prosperous times, we need support. And caring encouragers will challenge us whenever it seems we might be drifting off course. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…” (Hebrews 10:24-25). “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily…so that none of you may be hardened by sin”s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:12-13).
Each of us has something to offer. With our varied skills and talents, we can all contribute toward achieving the desired goals and mission we have established. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! … Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
Others can provide spiritual redirection when needed. Many in the business and professional world have accountability partners and mentors that they can count on for advice, prayer support, and admonition as well, when necessary. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
© 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.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
When you hear the phrase, “mind your own business,” what comes to your mind – at least before you read this “Monday Manna”? Can you see the pitfalls of insisting upon minding one”s own business, excluding others from providing input or being able to contribute to the work in a significant way? Why or why not? What are some of the challenges or problems of involving others in the process? Put another way, what are the benefits – if any – of working alone, not soliciting the help of others? In the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 uses the human body as an analogy for the value of working together with a shared commitment and common sense of mission. Do you think this metaphor applies to the workplace? Explain your answer.
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about principles it presents, consider the following passages: Proverbs 12:15, 13:1, 19:20, 25:12; Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:4-16
