March 20

Mar 20 - Today from Proverbs 20 we look at verse 14
"It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase."

Here is a great observation about human nature. Bargaining and negotiating are as old as history itself. A person sees a commodity he wants or needs, and he wants to secure it for the very lowest price possible. One of the most popular ways is to point out any flaws he may find (or fabricate), in the commodity. Naturally, this lessens the potential value. The buyer on the other hand wants to get the most he can for the commodity. If he dwells in a culture where negotiating is the norm, he sets the price too high to begin with. When the two of them meet over the fate of the commodity, the action begins. The seller wants to move his product, that's why it's on the market. But he tries to convince the buyer that he's not all that anxious to sell. The buyer wants to purchase the product, that's why he is entering into negotiations. But he tries to convince the seller that he's not all that anxious to buy. The writer of this proverb takes the buyers side. During negotiations he implies that the commodity is all but worthless. Once the commodity is in his possession, he tells his friends what a great deal he got on this valuable commodity.
A fun little observation on human nature. But what is the purpose of this proverb? Is the writer attempting to teach us how to negotiate when purchasing goods? I don't think so. Like I said, this process is human nature. It's almost inherent in every person; it's just that some develop it to an art. Perhaps the writer is cautioning us to think a little deeper about human nature when we are engaged in all areas of social interchange. If we understand human nature in bargaining situations at the local market, why don't we take the time to understand it in other social structures? We know that when the buyer says "It's no good, it's no good!" he really doesn't mean it. He is working toward a goal. If you're the seller, you don't react to his initial engagement as his final opinion. You continue to talk, to investigate, and to work to a place of amiable agreement. You make your deal and he walks away feeling good about it. Why can't we learn to do that in all of life's situations? Why can't we take the time to listen to people rather than just hear them? Why can't we learn how to ask questions and work our way to the real need or issue which is being presented instead of reacting to the initial engagement?
When you read the gospels, watch Jesus. He knew how to get to the heart of people's needs. Watch Him with Nicodemus. Watch Him with the woman at the well. Watch Him as He mentors His disciples in all kinds of situations. He never took a person's initial action in an engagement as their final issue or position. He would 'negotiate' them to the place of their real issue or need, and He would address that need. And, if they were open to Him, they walked away feeling pretty good about their encounter with the Lord.
It is a developed art to learn how to negotiate. Especially in the areas of life itself. "Lord, teach us to look beyond faults, and search for the needs in others. Grant us grace to minister to those needs so that they can walk away feeling good about our encounters. Amen"