Acknowledgment of truth is the first and vital step to getting help. This truth runs contrary to the philosophy of influence... the skill of easing people into a better condition. The way of the cross is the way of acknowledgment—it is a stark confrontation.

...a man is still a man... still just an earthen vessel.... When God has finished beating the mountains small with a worm, then that worm is still a worm—a worm used of God.... "When the work of the Lord is done right, there is no room for the flesh to glory."

A man who prays can spiritually afford to be generous. He can afford to let others have the last word. He can afford to appear inferior in argument. Abram knew that God would take care of him regardless, so he could afford to be generous.