Bad, bad says the buyer

2/29/20

Bad, Bad Says the Buyer

Pro 20:14  “Bad, bad,” says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts. 

Lawyers, used car salesmen and preachers are often thrown into the same category.  Most people wouldn’t trade a warm bucket of spit for any of them.  I know enough about myself to know that I wouldn’t make a very good salesman.  It’s a difficult job.  I’m of the era that learned most about good salesmanship by the Dale Carnegie books.  I don’t remember much of the books I read except that he wrote about believing in the product you sell.  He was selling pots and pans but was not a consumer/user of the product he was selling.  That is a worthwhile reminder for preachers to remember.

Solomon gives a bit of advice about the sales industry as he pens Prov 20:14, “Bad, bad,” says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.   This gem ought to be the flea marketer’s mantra.   They stand looking over the wares of the vendor and critically inspect and disparage everything in sight.  “This watch couldn’t possibly be an antique, and besides it doesn’t keep the time.” “This ring is made of an inferior type of gemstone and I doubt it is real gold.”    All the while the smile of the vendor gets thinner and weaker since there haven’t been many sales.   The vendor’s head says no but their stomach says yes, so they begin to bargain.  

“What will you offer me for the pair?”  

“I’ll give $120 for them” 

“No good, I must have $300” 

“For these old trinkets?  The watch won’t keep time and the gem is a dull specimen.  I’ll give you $150”

 “You’re barely at half.  Come now let us come to an agreement.  Let’s say $250 and both be happy.”

“We’re a long way apart. I guess that I’ll pass on such shoddy pieces.  I couldn’t offer more than $180 and that’s my final offer.”

“How can you only offer that much for these treasures?  You know they are worth much more.  Please, give me $225.  That’s more than fair and I am taking a loss.”

“No.  The watch is in bad shape and the ring is just as bad.  $180 for the pair.  That’s all I’ll go.”

“Because I must eat, I will take $180.” 

So, the deal was struck and the buyer returns home to show off their purchase.  They look at their spouse with a beaming smile.  “You won’t believe the deal I got on these splendid treasures.  Look at this wonderful watch and the brilliant beauty of this ring.  I really got a deal.  For less than half the asking price.”

Bad, Bad says the Liar

Have you ever had a similar experience?  Do you think the buyer lied?  They certainly didn’t tell the truth about their opinion of the watch or ring to the vendor.  When they got home they boasted about the purchase and the value of the items bought.  Yes, they lied.  For what purpose?  To gain an advantage over the seller.  The degree of the advantage determines the degree of the temptation.  What are you willing to lie about?  The temptation is fueled by the desire for the advantage.

In order to gain the advantage over the seller, the buyer was willing to lie about the quality of the items in order to offer less money for higher value products.

 As you think of it, that is the intention of lies.  We want an advantage or to create some leverage.  

The liar is willing to bring justice out of balance by risking their integrity for a bit of leverage.  

It is a risky venture.  When we think our desire for leverage over a person or situation justifies a bit of dishonesty we might win in the short term.  But what does the spouse now know about the buyer?  They are willing to lie to gain the advantage.   It may seem like a small matter, but the issues of integrity are demonstrated in small matters.

Luk 16:10  “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 

To make matters worse, they actually boasted in the things that their dishonesty brought them.  All it takes to bring down great buildings is to chip away at their foundations.  Deals with the devil may come at the cost of tiny treasures that tempt us to trade our integrity for ‘a good deal’ we boast about later.  They may cost us eternally.