January 19, 2026

Business by the Book

Genesis 18:32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.

Six times Abraham asked the Lord to withhold destruction if there were a certain number of righteous people in the land. Six times the Lord accepted Abraham’s offer. Usually if we do ask for a concession, and it is granted, we stop asking. Imagine the conversation:  Will you take $50.00 for this item? Yes. Will you take $45.00 for this item? Yes. Will you take $40.00? Yes. Will you take $30.00? Yes. Will you take $20.00? Yes. Will you take $10.00? Yes. What are the chances?

Probably most would say when asked to lower the price from $50.00 to $45.00, “What? Really, we already agreed for $50.00. No, I will not lower the price further.”  However Abraham, with all possible humility, continued to negotiate until his final number was reached. For some reason Abraham stopped asking at ten righteous souls. Upon reading this story carefully it will be noticed that the Lord never grew upset, nor did He tell Abraham to quit asking for further concessions. Perhaps Abraham could have asked for eight, five, or even one, but he didn’t; he stopped at ten.

There is a lesson here. While negotiating continue to ask for concessions until you receive a no. Do you want this shipped? Yes. Do you want the extended warranty? Yes. Would you like it gift wrapped? Yes. Can I offer you some extra (whatever you can add on)? Yes. Are you interested in the insurance we offer on this item? Just keep asking until they say no; no more items for me today.

I remember a story about a preacher who was buying a new suit. Never before had this preacher purchased a suit without negotiating a free tie to go along with it. Upon discussing the free tie the sales clerk continued to say no. Finally, pulling out the one argument that never failed the preacher said, “Can you give me a free tie with this purchase; after all I’m only a poor preacher.”  Upon turning away the clerk said under his breath, “I know I heard you preach last Sunday.”  This preacher did not get his free tie, but he knew enough to continue to ask until a hard and definite no was given.

We have exhausted all that we can from the great negotiation between the Lord and Abraham within the scope of these devotions. Tomorrow we move on to a new topic:  how to accomplish great things with any group of people.

Dr. William Howe