He 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."Abraham does what many would not. He is considered great among these people, a prince, yet has not bought any place where he can bury those from his group who die. He is offered the field as a gift, but insists that he will pay for it properly.
Today, when offered a gift like this, most of us will refuse only long enough so that honor is satisfied, then quietly accept. Abraham wouldn't do that, even when encouraged to. He insists on not being given special treatment, and doing what any outlander would have to do. He pays for what he is given, and I take this as an example that we should also do everything possible to act fairly in our business and personal dealings.
No comments:
Post a Comment