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Dale Carnegie wrote How to Win Friends and Influence People. Among his tips, he said Give others honest and sincere appreciation. Arouse an eager desire in them. Show them you are interested in what they say. Carnegie could have gotten his tips from Jesus, because they are so similar to the way Jesus related to the woman of Samaria. Jesus connected to her by asking her for a drink. In doing so, he affirmed her as a woman and as a Samaritan that Jews hated. He provoked desire in her. He used her felt need –water — to pierce her deeper spiritual need. Here is a portion of their dialog. Jesus said, “Please give me a drink.” The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you, and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket; and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir, give me this water!” Jesus won her, and He extends the same invitation to people today.
