Then Abraham got up from mourning his dead wife and spoke to the
Hittites: "I know I’m only an outsider here among you, but sell me a
burial plot so that I can bury my dead decently. The Hittites responded, "Why, you’re no mere outsider here with us,
you’re a prince of God! Bury your dead wife in the best of our burial
sites. None of us will refuse you a place for burial." Genesis 23:3-6 (TM)

What was it about Abraham that commanded so much respect from his neighbors? It may have been his wealth, but I don’t think that wealth alone would cause them to call Abraham "a prince of God" (seriously, we wouldn’t call Donald Trump "prince of God" would we?). Abraham must have lived in such a way that all those around respected him – and his faith.

Would my neighbors say the same of me, even those who don’t want anything to do with my faith?

This story of Abraham reminded me of one of my life verses, I Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV):

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

May it ever and increasingly be so in my life.