EVANGELISM, LOVE AND

This story is told of Harry Winston, who was one of the world’s greatest jewel merchants. One day he watched one of his salesmen show a beautiful diamond to a rich Dutch merchant. The customer listened thoughtfully to the expert description, but he eventually turned away, saying, “It’s a wonderful stone, but not exactly what I want.”

Winston stopped the customer on his way out and asked, “Do you mind if I show you that diamond once more?” The merchant agreed. Winston took the stone in his hand. He did not repeat anything the salesman had said. He simply talked about the gem as an object of deep beauty. Abruptly the customer changed his mind and bought the diamond. While he was waiting for it to be brought to him, he turned to Winston and said, “Why did I buy it willingly from you, though I had no difficulty saying no to your salesman?”

Winston answered, “That salesman is one of the best men in the business. He knows diamonds—but I love them.”415