We all like bargains. But how do we react when we know we are being overcharged and there is little we can do about it? There is an interesting story found in Genesis chapter 23 that gives an example of this.
Abraham’s wife has just passed away. He is a stranger in the land and he needs to buy a burial plot. So he arises from his grief and goes to the elders of that area to purchase some land so he can bury Sarah. After oriental greetings and pleasantries are exchanged, they get down to business:
“He (Abraham) spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, ‘If you will only please listen to me; I will give the price of the field, accept it from me that I may bury my dead there.” Then Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, ‘My Lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead’.”
So Abraham pays the price of four hundred shekels of silver and buys the field in order to bury Sarah. But 400 pieces of silver was a very high price. But Abraham pays the price. Did he know he was being taken advantage of? Most likely. But it was more important for him to honor his wife and find a place to bury her properly then to do anything else.
Abraham remained calm, and did what he had to do. He did not make a scene. He did not attempt to bargain. He did not go to war. All of these he could have done quite easily because he was very powerful. But he accepted the price, paid it, and moved on.
There will be times in our life where we will need to do the same thing–accept what is before us, be kind, and then move on. I hope when those times come we can be as gracious as Abraham and do the right thing, even when it costs us, financially or otherwise.
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Sunday Thought 59
by JD on October 18, 2009
We all like bargains. But how do we react when we know we are being overcharged and there is little we can do about it? There is an interesting story found in Genesis chapter 23 that gives an example of this.
Abraham’s wife has just passed away. He is a stranger in the land and he needs to buy a burial plot. So he arises from his grief and goes to the elders of that area to purchase some land so he can bury Sarah. After oriental greetings and pleasantries are exchanged, they get down to business:
“He (Abraham) spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, ‘If you will only please listen to me; I will give the price of the field, accept it from me that I may bury my dead there.” Then Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, ‘My Lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead’.”
So Abraham pays the price of four hundred shekels of silver and buys the field in order to bury Sarah. But 400 pieces of silver was a very high price. But Abraham pays the price. Did he know he was being taken advantage of? Most likely. But it was more important for him to honor his wife and find a place to bury her properly then to do anything else.
Abraham remained calm, and did what he had to do. He did not make a scene. He did not attempt to bargain. He did not go to war. All of these he could have done quite easily because he was very powerful. But he accepted the price, paid it, and moved on.
There will be times in our life where we will need to do the same thing–accept what is before us, be kind, and then move on. I hope when those times come we can be as gracious as Abraham and do the right thing, even when it costs us, financially or otherwise.