I’m not a shopper. I am probably one of the few women that do not enjoy spending the day going to endless stores browsing merchandise, trying on clothing or carrying around an enormous amount of bags with stuff I truly do not need, nor have room for in my already overstuffed closet.
In Proverbs 23, God tell us to do some shopping…verse 23 says, “Buy truth, and do not sell it; but wisdom, instruction and understanding.”
Now, you can’t actually “buy” truth. I’m this context, it means to acquire or get. It’s free. It’s basically like going into a store and you see a whole display of some beautiful diamond earrings, maybe an expensive purse…all for free! Now if you stand there and you watch everyone come by and grab something for themselves, but you never actually go up and take something, then you haven’t acquired yourself some earrings…you leave empty-handed. You must make an effort to go over and pick them up to obtain them and wear them! Same goes for God’s Word…the truth. It’s free…but you have to take steps to obtain it. You can’t get it by admiring your Bible on the coffee table. We must grab hold of it, open it and wear it’s word on our heart, just as we would wear those beautiful diamond earrings.
Since you got those beautiful diamond earrings for free, you will probably tell everyone about it, huh? I know I would! I would make sure everyone knew how I obtained them and that it didn’t cost me a dime! That’s how we should be with God’s Word. I know I could post about how great my kids are and how awesome my husband is…’cause that’s the truth, but it doesn’t change anyone…it doesn’t help them to gain wisdom, understanding and instruction. God’s Word does all that! It changes me everyday! There’s so much greatness packed from cover to cover…better than anything you can buy at the store, yet we refuse to browse its pages and “try on” faith! Trust me, friend, faith in God will always fit just right…and when you look in the spiritual mirror (God’s Word), you won’t be focused so much on getting the outside looking just right, but dressing your soul with everything you bought from His Word!
Now, here’s the kicker. God says to not sell truth. However, you will find many people will try to offer and buy it from you. Do not be deceived. They are offering you their pleasures or distractions in exchange for the truth. This world has a lot to offer us that can seem more appealing than God’s truth. But I assure you, it will cost you more than you want to pay and leave you wanting a full refund in the end. You can’t put a price tag on the truth. It cost Christ dearly…He bought everlasting life for you and me.
Hold on to those bags of bought wisdom tightly, my friend. When you open them, blessings will be packed in there for eternity! Sell not…you will be satisfied with your purchase each and every time you open up God’s Holy Word!