Question:   Dear Greg,

            I need an honest answer to this question.  The Bible says, “buy the truth and sell it not”.  How can you ask for money for your ministry?

            Joel

Answer:  Dear Joel,

            As we serve Jesus Christ, our goal and desire is to provide honest, biblically based answers.  So you have come to a good place for an honest, biblically based answer. 

            Proverbs 23:23 is the verse you have in mind.  What does this verse mean?  If it literally means that we can buy the truth but not sell it, then the only source from which we can buy the truth is from sinners who reject the truth—for if they accepted the truth then they would not be selling it.  So what source do we look to for a purchase of truth—if this verse is to be taken as literally as you suggest?

            The verse is a proverb, of course, explaining a principle in figurative language.  It means that we should value truth, hold on to it, “invest” in it, “purchase” it and never let it go—never sell it.  The part you quote is in fact only part of the sentence and verse.  It continues, “get wisdom, discipline and understanding.”

            Further, the context of this passage is helpful.  Begin with verse 17 which speaks about a son who is admonished not to envy sinners, not to join those who drink too much or gorge themselves (verse 20)—for drunkards and gluttons (the self indulgent) become poor.  The son is told to listen to his father and mother and to buy (to be energetic in searching and working for and expending necessary resources) the truth and not to sell it.  “The Message Bible” translates this thought, “Buy truth—don’t sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight.”  “The Contemporary English Version” says, “Invest in truth and wisdom, discipline and good sense and don’t part with them.”

            You seem to suggest that one part of one sentence of one verse, taken out of context means that:

1.      The very sources that one would go to for good sense, education and spiritual truth are not allowed to be remunerated for their services, and so would not be available.

2.      Many other passages in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, which speak of teachers and those who pastor being worthy of their hire are all invalid and nullified by an overly literal, lifted-out-of-its-context part of one verse in the book of Proverbs.  If this is your methodology, it is an unacceptable way to understand any of the Bible—at worst it is twisting and distorting the word of God.

            Parables of Christ speak of a treasure in a field--a field that was purchased by a wise man because it contained treasure.  Jesus speaks of the pearl of great price in the same genre.  He does not, nor does this proverb, forbid one from effort, sacrifice and even financial expanse to obtain something (in this case truth) of value.

            You seem to be suggesting that teachers, pastors, professors and authors of biblical truth not be allowed to earn a living from their efforts to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Surely you don’t mean that?

            You then apply this verse to our ministry.  To my knowledge, no printer has ever printed our literature free of charge.  The Post Office has not yet volunteered to mail and deliver our literature free of charge.  Radio stations have the gall to ask us to pay for airtime!  We pay our writers and editors.  If we did not, they would have to find other ways to provide for their families—according to the Bible Christians should provide for their families.

            Thank you for allowing us to be of help.  May God bless you.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht