Scripture Reference: Proverbs 23:23 – Proverbs 2:6
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”
“For the Lord gives wisdom; rom His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”
We’ve all seen the fantasy movies about the Genie in a bottle who has been released and is now willing to grant several wishes to the person who freed him. Seriously, today, if you could be granted FOUR wishes, – anything at all – what would you ask for? The ungodly man who doesn’t know Christ may likely choose fame, fortune and a host of other self-serving wonders. Money is such a poor choice; we’ve all heard of so many lottery winners who after a short while find their lives in the toilet, with money, like Scripture says, that has sprouted wings and taken off.
So much of King Solomon’s counsel and advice to his children are so powerful that every child of God should pay attention to what he declares. Many find it interesting, that despite having 700 wives and 300 concubines, that Solomon only had three children; two daughters, and a son. We know from Scripture that Solomon did possess anything and everything that his eyes could see, what when it came right down to it, – when God told him that he could have anything, – Solomon chose wisdom.
This glorious account of God appearing to Solomon in a dream is recorded for us in first Kings chapter three. Earlier in the chapter we are given some insight into the character of the King. Verse 3 tells us, ‘And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statues of his father David.” Can any of us possibly imagine how we would have responded to the Lord’s question to Solomon, – as he said, “Ask, – what shall I give you?”
Verse 10 tells us that God was greatly pleased
with Solomon’s response. Let’s take a look. In verses 7-9. “Now, Oh Lord my God, You have made your servant King instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to your servant an understanding heart to judge between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours.
The Lord was so pleased with what Solomon asked for that he declared,
“Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for long life for yourself, nor have asked for riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice. In other words, Solomon asked God for Wisdom! He further told Solomon, – “Behold, I have done acco
rding to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. What a story; I’m amazed every time I read this account.
It was Lady Wisdom that Solomon sought more than anything else!
Our puny minds cannot fathom what it must have been like to possess wisdom beyond the imagination. What all this tells me and what Solomon was trying to tell his children is even though they could have and possess anything, – they should give great consideration to possessing four things, – “Truth, Wisdom, Instruction & Understanding.” Absolutely remarkable!
You’ve probably been thinking about it. What would you have asked from the Almighty had you been in Solomon’s shoes?
Solomon is pleading with his children to buy four things. The kind of things that no store carries. We need all four, otherwise we are not prepared for success in life. You will get in certain trouble without them. They are truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Do you want them? What will you pay for them? If you are offered riches to buy these four things from you, will you sell them? Don’t even consider it!
There is only one way to buy something – pay for it. So buying the truth requires paying a price for it. All buying requires ranking your desires, for no man can afford everything. You spend your limited resources by the priorities you set. And here Solomon tells you to put truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding at the top of the list (Proverbs 4:5,7; 16:16).
Once you buy the truth, do not sell it to anyone – keep it. Others will try to buy it from you. How? By offering you pleasures or distractions that take you from truth. Solomon told you not to give these four things back to anyone for anything (Proverbs 3:18; 4:13). The world will do what it can to get you to play their games until you are a fool like them without any wisdom. Do not let anyone propose a higher goal for your life than these four things.
What is the cost? Truth will cost you friends, for most prefer lies, superstition, and tradition (Proverbs 13:20). Wisdom will cost you ease, for only fools believe and do anything they wish. Instruction will cost you pride, for you must accept correction from others. And understanding will cost you peace, for you will know the world’s insanity (Ecclesiastes 1:18).
Are there other costs? Yes, pleasure steals time for learning, so give up some of it. Riches steal time, for you must work extra hard in your effort to get them. Give up the foolish notion of being rich (Proverbs 3:13-14; 8:10,19; 16:16). These four things come by dedication and diligent labor (Proverbs 2:1-9; 18:1), so you will have to pay the price of effort and time.
If you divide these words by their slight differences in meaning, you might be able to see the following definitions. If you do not, you can see Solomon heaping up good things.
Truth: Wisdom: Instruction: Understanding: -- A Definition
Right, honest, and real knowledge about any subject. Prudent ability to discern and to know what is right. Directions and teaching from others wiser than you. Comprehending the value and use of truth and wisdom.
The book of Proverbs was inspired to sell these four things, and one of the prices for them is to read it often. A chapter of Proverbs a day fits the calendar and will teach you much. Read and apply it daily (action of buying); do not stop the habit (action of not selling). Do not trade your daily time in the book of Proverbs for any other activity.
There are only a few men in the world with truth and wisdom (I Chronicles 12:32; Isaiah 59:14-15; Jeremiah 5:1). Solomon elsewhere asked if you wanted to be one of those men (Ecclesiastes 8:1). It is a choice. You must make it happen with God’s blessing by diligently pursuing the right means for acquiring them, which is taught in the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 2:1-9; 8:17; 18:1). Ask God for His Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you (Psalms 119:18; Ephesians 1:17-18).
The source document for truth and wisdom is the Bible (Ps 19:7-9; John 17:17). You need to have it preached to you often by a man that will not compromise its truth at all (Malachi 2:7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). But today many Christians and churches prefer entertainment and fables instead of truth, as Paul warned (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
The cure is to avoid those popular ministries for one that exalts sound doctrine by firmly preaching the word (2 Timothy 4:1-2).
Jesus bought wisdom (Luke 2:52) until He cornered the market (Colossians 2:3). No man could understand and speak like Him, even when twelve years old (Luke 2:46-47). Common people gladly heard His authoritative preaching, and wicked religious leaders were afraid to ask their evil questions (Matthew 7:28-20; 22:46). Dear brothers and sisters, follow His holy example – buy the truth and never sell it – and He will bless you supernaturally in the doing.
As I reflect on this great truth from Proverbs, it’s hard not to think of those in my life who personify these virtues that Solomon extols. Thee are a number of amazingly Godly men and women in my life, but today, I mention just two stalwarts of the faith; Beryl Smith & Merlyn Lund. Both of these men are in their mid-eighties, and have been in Christ for the majority of their life. Pastor, teacher, professor, poet and prayer warrior is a fitting description for Beryl. He served as our ministries Co-Director and was by my side for many visits to area Northern CA prisons. Beryl demonstrated a passion for ministering to prisoners like I have rarely seen, writing to more than 200 inmates. Late last year, he moved back to South Carolina, after undergoing a six-way bypass and a heart valve replacement. He remains one of the ministries strongest prayer partners.
From the first day I met Merlyn Lund, I knew I was in the presence of a man who was deeply devoted to our Savior. Like Beryl, Merlyn can best be described as a “cool breeze,” – a refreshment and encouragement to be around. I come home encouraged after every encounter with Merlyn. I never worry about a conversation getting around to political arguing and bickering, as Merlyn only wants to speak of the truth of God’s Word, and he has a love for Scripture rarely seen. He has also had an active ministry in the lives of inmates who have paroled, always strengthening them in the Lord. Merlyn always reminds me, -- “We Are Reigning In Our Training.”
Thank you Lord for two champions of the faith that you have placed in my life.
Final Thoughts
I leave you today with a final thought. There is one last, absolutely essential thing to do if you would get this wisdom, truth and understanding that Solomon spoke of so passionately. You must come to Jesus. He said to the people of his day, "The queen of the south will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold something greater than Solomon is here" (Matthew 12:42). What an understatement. Greater than Solomon indeed! Solomon spoke God's wisdom. Jesus is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30). Others had spoken truth; he is the truth. Others had pointed the way to life; he is the way and the life (John 14:6). Others had given promises, but "all the promises of God find their yes in him" (2 Corinthians 1:20). Others had offered God's forgiveness; Jesus bought it by his death.
Therefore, in Him are "hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). To know and love and follow this Jesus is to own the treasure of ultimate and eternal happiness. Therefore, the command, "Get wisdom," means first and foremost "Come to Jesus! Come to Jesus!" in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom.
From: Fight the good fight of faith & life journal: By Gregg Harris
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