Be A Good Steward

Let me pay the full price for the field so I can bury my dead there. Genesis 23:13

There’s a common misconception among many leaders that being a good steward of resources requires frequently haggling over purchases to always get the lowest possible price.

Abraham’s approach was quite the opposite when he negotiated with Ephron for the purchase of a family burial plot. It was an important piece of property for Abraham, and he showed that he valued the transaction by paying Ephron what the land was worth. Haggling over the price would have indicated that his family’s dead were not worth the asking price.

Stewardship involves more than dollars and cents. We’re called to be good stewards of our honor and the honor of those with whom we interact.

Do you have a reputation for always squeezing the lowest price out of suppliers and for being a tough negotiator with partners? If so, take a moment to consider how these folks perceive you. Do they feel honored or beaten when the deal is struck?