“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. Proverbs 20:14 NIV84
This was me for most of my life. I would try and get things for less than they were worth and then tell my friends what a great deal I got. But if Jesus says that we are to treat others (the seller) just as I would want to be treated (if I was the seller) then I need to look again at this Proverb.
If the buyer is boasting about his purchase I assume he felt it was a quality item… Who boasts about buying junk? If that is true he lied to the buyer when he said it was “no good.” Why would he do that? If he did lie it may have been to get the item at a price less than the buyer thought it was worth. To me that’s stealing.
So, if my assumptions are correct this one short sentence condemns the buyer for being a braggart, a liar and a thief.
Since coming to this realization I have been slowly changing. I’ve been thinking about the seller’s position when I buy something, and not just my own. If I am following (obeying) Jesus I believe God will give me all the money I need to fulfill his mission for my life. I’m not going to withhold what someone else deserves because I am afraid of running out of money (scarcity mentality). I will bless them by giving to them freely just as Jesus gives to me freely. I will see buying something as an opportunity to love the seller and treat them as someone dearly loved by the God Who died for them.
Yet changing is difficult and I have a long way to go.
What do you think about this? Is the seller worth showing the love of Jesus to? Will Jesus keep you supplied with the money you need if you are doing what he says? Do we serve the Almighty God? Or the almighty dollar?
I AM for You! 