The old cowboy was called on the carpet for cussing out the ranch foreman. The boss rancher gave him a withering look and asked, "Did you call Jake a liar?"

"Yep," said the cowboy.

"And did you call him stupid?"

"Yep."

"Did you infer that he was an opinionated, pompous egomaniac?"

"Nope. But if you'd write that down so I can remember it I shore will next time."

Management and management theory are in vogue these days. Go into any book store and count the titles that will give you all the secrets of being a good manager. There are Things They Don't Teach at Harvard Business School. Things They Do Teach at Harvard Business School, Things They Still Don't Teach At Harvard Business School, The Management Secrets of Attila the Hun, Real Bosses Never Say Thank You … to name just a few.

One theme that is often found is that good guys do not make good business men. The more rotten you are the more successful you will be seems to have found favor among some authors of the how tos of management. One letter advertising a book on business management said, "If your competitors, your suppliers, and your local bureaucrats are calling you a no good S.O.B. behind your back, you are probably running a very successful enterprise. If they are calling you a nice guy, a great boss and a fine customer you are probably getting knifed in the back ... “ (my words because I do not talk that way even to quote somebody)

I claim some expertise as a manager and business man. For over fifty years I have been in the business of managing. I think I have been reasonably successful. I am not rich and if success is measured in money, then I may not pass muster. If success, on the other hand, is measured in enjoying your work, liking the people you work for and who work for you, having good and loyal employees, and being able to sleep well at night knowing that you have not left a bloody trail behind you, then I consider myself very successful.

If I may paraphrase a little bit let me tell you something of what the Bible tells us about management. In Ephesians, chapter 6 we are told, Employees do your job. Give your boss the very best effort you have in you. Serve your employer just like you serve Christ. Do not work hard only when the boss is watching and then get lazy when he (or she) is not around. It is better to work hard and with gladness all the time as though working for Christ, doing the will of God with all your hearts. Remember that the Lord will pay you well for each good thing you do. And bosses, treat your employees right just like I have told them to treat you. Do not bully and threaten them but treat them just like I have told them to treat you. Remember that you yourselves belong to Christ; you have the same boss they do, and he has no favorites.

Mighty good advice for bosses and for employees in the first decade of the 21st century.