Buying Some Truth

 

Proverb of the Week

Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.                -  Proverbs 23:23 (ESV)

Jesus is the very embodiment of truth. Jesus said of himself that he is the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, except by him. (John 14:6)

Remember that “buying the truth” is a metaphor. Neither Jesus or the salvation that he brings have a price tag. They are a gift. But to use the metaphor, there is a price involved in growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I would suggest the price you pay to receive a full measure of knowing Jesus is the spending of your time; reading the Bible, listening to sermons, communing with God’s people, and contemplating what you have read, heard and seen. That is how you purchase truth. Wisdom, instruction and understanding are all things that are good and important, and are purchased in much the same way, but without first having the truth that is in found in Jesus Christ they are not obtainable in any concrete form.

The Cure For What Ails Us

 

Proverb of the Week

Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.

Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

- Proverbs 23:17-18 (ESV)

This proverb echoes the last of the ten commandments which teaches us to not covet that which belongs to others, but it singles out a particular form of covetousness that seems to consist of envying the lifestyle of those who have profited by ill-gotten gains. It immediately goes on to give the cure for such impulses. That cure consists of fearing, or we might say reverencing, the LORD constantly. That happens to also be the cure for every other sinful impulse as well.

The proverb goes on to remind us that all things in this world are subject to what is still to come, and that is true whether it is the trials of those who seek to live righteously or the carefree pleasures of unrepentant sinners, but when that time comes the hope of those who trust in Christ will not fail.  

And About The Poor . . .

 

Proverb of the Week

Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,

or crush the afflicted at the gate,

for the LORD will plead their cause

 and rob of life those who rob them.

- Proverbs 22:22-23 (ESV)

Throughout the Bible, God reveals a special concern that he has for those who are poor because of circumstances beyond their control, so it should come as no surprise that those who take advantage of the poor, or heap more misery upon them, would be subject to harsh retribution at his hand.