Proverbs 20.14
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.”
This is a “seller beware” warning. Commercial transactions in the ancient world were done by barter and negotiation. In this case, a deceitful and manipulative buyer claims that the merchandise is inferior in order to gain a lower price from the seller. When the seller agrees to the lower price, the buyer goes to his friends and brags about his ability to deceive/cheat the seller.
In several places, Proverbs speaks to commercial transactions, and the primary emphasis is on integrity in business. The admonition is clear: Conduct your business with character and fairness. Don’t be greedy; don’t cheat; don’t lie.
At the same time, Proverbs warns both buyer and seller to be wise and discerning. There are people in the world who will lie to you and seek to cheat you and treat you unfairly. So be on guard, and be careful.
There is, however, a secondary and equally important application of this principle of wisdom and discernment in commercial transactions. I believe this also a warning to have discernment with regard to what philosophy or teaching you “buy into.” There are many people and groups in the world who are trying to sell you on a particular political philosophy, spiritual doctrine, worldview, or lifestyle. In marketing terms, it’s called a “pitch.”
Every day we are bombarded with pitches from people and groups who want us to buy what they are selling. The commercial application is that there is a financial cost every time you buy a product or service. The broader application is that there is a spiritual cost every time you buy into a philosophy, a doctrine, or a worldview.
Bottom line: Be very careful what you buy into. Do your due diligence. Carefully and wisely evaluate what is being offered, who is offering it, and why.
“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23.23)
