An insurance salesman stuck his head into a department store sales manager's office. "You don't want to buy any insurance, do you?" he asked timidly.

"Young man, who taught you how to sell?" asked the sales manager. "Don't ever ask that kind of question! Your problem is a lack of confidence. Give me an application blank. I'll buy some insurance from you to give you confidence in yourself." After completing the application, the sales manager gave the young man a lecture: "Now remember, each customer is different. Figure out what each one really wants. Then you will know how to develop an approach that fits."

"That is exactly what I do," said the salesman. "I just gave you my approach for sales managers. It works almost every time." (1) Clever. Shrewd.

Jesus once told a humorous parable a…