January 7, 2026

Business by the Book

Genesis 18:28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

It’s always amazing when someone becomes angry, offended, or insulted when asked to make a concession during a negotiation. It’s like their mother took away their Lucky Charms when they were a baby and they begin to pitch a fit, or grow sullen, or find some other way to act out. Why? When Abraham asked for a concession, the Lord did not take offense, in fact the Lord accepted Abraham’s offer. If there was ever anyone on Earth that could have become offended by someone asking for a discount it most assuredly could have been the Lord God.

After all, the Lord made all things, He controlled all things, He knew all things, He was the final arbiter of all disputes, and He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Abraham was not a god, he was not deity, he was no sovereign, and who was he to ask a concession of the Lord? But he did, and the Lord negotiated with Him.

The Lord would not always be willing to negotiate. In the New Testament James and John asked the Lord Jesus to grant them the honor of being seated on his left hand and right hand in eternity. Christ had to reject their request because that place of honor was not prepared for them (Mark 10:35-40). When the other ten disciples heard of this request they became displeased, but not the Lord. He simply told them no. In Genesis the Lord told Abraham, yes, I will withhold the destruction of the cities if there are forty five righteous people there.

When asked to make a concession do not give in to emotion. Simply analyze the request and if possible grant it, if not say no and if you want, explain why. Why get angry, why get mean, why get insulted, why get put out, why feel disrespected? It’s just a question. It’s just business. It’s just a request. Frankly, I care not to do business with people who will not consider a request in a fair way. I find that the rigidity of some people is nothing more than pride, and if they get put out over an honest request how will they react if a problem arises? But that’s just me; you pray for me, I’m trying to do better.

Each and every transaction is, or can become, a negotiation. It’s just business. Why get offended if someone wants to find out if they can obtain a better deal? It is their prerogative to ask just as it is the other party’s prerogative to consider it and accept or reject their request.

Dr. William Howe