“I’ll make you a deal . . .” I come from a long line of negotiators. My great grandfather was a mule trader. His son had second-hand stores. My dad owned a car business. Nevertheless, I was unprepared for the negotiations I saw at a market in the Middle East. When I heard the first price, I walked away, but the merchant followed me. My take-away? Never pay full price for anything at the market. Also, be sure that you really want what you are buying.
When Abraham’s wife Sarah died, he needed to purchase land to bury her. He asked the local Hittite leaders to intercede with Ephron on his behalf. First, Ephron offered to give the field. But Abraham instinctively knew that this deal might be worth what he paid: nothing. Respectfully, Abraham insisted on paying the full price. “400 shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me,” said Ephron as he smiled. Then and now, burial property can be expensive. Abraham paid the full price and bought a cave and land to bury his wife. This was the only property he owned in the promised land.
What we most need is not for sale. God is not a merchant in a market, or a game-show host like Monty Hall, Bob Barker, or Howie Mandel. In the end, we have nothing to offer to God to purchase what we need to live. No amount of bartering or bargaining will cover the price for our sins. God offers us eternal life, free of charge to us, through the sacrifice of his only Son. So we sing, “Jesus, paid it all. All to him we owe.” The studio audience of heaven shouts, “Take the deal!” We put our trust in Christ and give him our lives. Will we accept God’s terms? If we do, we will never experience buyer’s remorse!
