"Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, commercial standard... So the field and the cave that is in it, were deeded over to Abraham for a burial site by the sons of Heth." -Genesis 23.16, 20
Sarah has died, and now Abraham seeks a burial place. But he is still a stranger in the land, and so he speaks to the sons of Heth, the Hittites, who occupied the land at that time. They tell him to take whichever tomb he wishes, and that no one will refuse him any place. But Abraham insists on paying for it. And so when he finally gets a price from Ephron, he weighs it out and pays for it, and the land is deeded over to him. It becomes his legally, in the presence of witnesses, and no one can say other wise.
This is how men need to handle things. Had the land just been handed over to Abraham, and had he accepted it that way, who knows what disputes would have come up in the future that his children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren, would have had to deal with. Had they taken the land as a gift, it could potentially have been taken back, and the grave of his wife desecrated. But Abraham does things correctly so that never becomes an issue. He pays for the land, and it becomes his.
When we handle situations correctly, we save unnecessary headaches for the people who come behind us. Some of you have had to deal with things that have come about because of shady, under the table, deals that others have made. You've been left to clean up their mess, at your own expense. A man doesn't leave a burden on others because he didn't deal with the situation correctly from the beginning.
Men, let's do things right. Let's do all that we can to make sure those who come after us don't have to clean up a mess we've made. Our messes only hinder their progress, and damage their name. Our messes weaken the foundation. Do things right and it will be strengthened.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
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