“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts. Proverbs 20:14
God once said, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” (Matthew 15:8) The disingenuous worshiper is like the disingenuous buyer. God knows the heart behind every word and the motive behind every deed. In business, God always knows what is fair or unfair, and He sees where there is transparency or someone is hiding. There are always two sides of a negotiation, yet in kingdom negotiation, both sides should win. The differentiator in what separates one negotiator from another is skill level. As far as it depends on you, negotiating in a godly way ensures you remain right with God and man. When you are in the right, God rewards. But this is different than simply “winning.” When you win, do you consider who else might have won or lost at your hand? To whom might that person take their loss to? God?
If God was negotiating with you, how would He negotiate? Con- sider the heart of a godly negotiator and its opposite.
Godly Negotiator
- Genuine
- Wants what is best for both sides
- Positions facts in positive light
- Vocalizes the value of both sides
- Wants what is equitable for both sides
- Wants a win-win outcome
Ungodly Negotiator
- Disingenuous
- Wins at cost to your side
- Repositions your points in the worst light
- Devalues your side to increase their value
- Cares only for what they receive on their side
- Will win at your expense
REFLECT TO CONNECT
- What other contrasts in godly vs. ungodly negotiators can you think of?
- In what circumstances have you seen both versions modeled?
- Have you ever found yourself on the winning side of a negotiation but then on the wrong side of the person?
God measures a win by our motive to serve others over self.
