Genesis 23:3-20 And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,… What I wish to emphasize here is the open, manly honesty of Abraham. There was no cheapening of the price — nothing of "It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: and when he is gone his way, then he boasteth." Here were only civility, courtesy, and integrity. He did everything in a business way, but he had respect for others as well as for himself. He recognized that there was another hearer than the multitudes assembled at the city gate, even God Himself, and he did not choose that He should hear anything of rudeness, or selfishness, or dishonesty from his lips. Oh, how much more pleasantly business would be conducted among ourselves if we were to act in this way! But too many of us are constantly on the watch for an advantage! The seller's maxim too frequently is the selfish one of the Romans, "Caveat emptor" — "let the buyer look out for himself." And the buyer, on his side, is too frequently just as eagerly anxious to over-reach the seller. It is far too often "diamond cut diamond" between them. But that both are bad does not excuse either, and God is listening to both. Ah! if we all remembered that, our stores would be different places from what they often are, and business would rise to its ancient and irreproachable renown. Faith in God — such faith as Abraham had-that is still the great necessity of life. For pureness, for integrity, for liberality, for courage, for courtesy, this is what we mainly need. It is as true to-day as when John wrote the words, "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (W. M. Taylor, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,WEB: Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spoke to the children of Heth, saying, |
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