Joel M Bradshaw

23Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.–Proverbs 23

This is a hard one for me. It speaks to perspective and goals. It displays how you view yourself and others.

TRUTH BUYERS: Learn for the sake of growth. Seek the things they need in order to grow and change. Freely submit to the wise instruction, counsel of others. Never hold the perspective that they are the master or have mastered something. Always the learner. Are ok with others challenging their intellect, opinions, or teaching. Eager to learn from others and their experiences. Invest their time, treasure, and talents into making this happen.

TRUTH SELLERS: Learn for the sake of increasing their influence. Seeking the things they think they need in order to change others. Resist submitting to wise instruction unless it comes from a chosen, safe, few. Looks forward to when they are a master and can rest in the title or achievement. Always the teacher. Always having to lead by being up front and displaying. Rarely ok with others challenging them. Eager to share what they have learned. Invest time, treasure, and talents into making this happen.

I needed this proverb as a reminder. Some of you reading my daily devos see me as a seller. As a pastor who both teaches and counsels, this BUY/SELL issue is always at the forefront of my heart. I am also someone that people go to for knowledge or answers.

It hurt to write the two paragraphs above, but it was so easy to write them. For far too long, I haven’t fought too hard the perspective of being the seller rather than the buyer. I recognize that I have a lot of work to do. One thing that works for me is that I am rarely the hero of my own stories. Most of my learning has been from God correcting and discipling me and not because I am anything on my own to write home about.

I was a young pastor with an M.Div. degree. I was ordained at a relatively young age. The temptation with my brain is the same with my body. For the brain, it’s I HAVE ARRIVED. I HAVE ATTAINED. NOW LISTEN TO ME. STOP LEARNING. With the body, it’s I HAVE ACHIEVED, I’VE GOT THIS MOVING FORWARD. STOP BEING DISCIPLINED.

Both are wrong and lead down unhealthy paths. I need the reminder to be a buyer. Can I have this perspective even as I teach, counsel, and blog? That’s the challenge. I even call my weekly class Masterclass Theology. Not because I am the master, but because we study the Bible. The Word of God, who is the Master. That’s my perspective. But at the same time, it feels good to teach and have a podcast. To daily blog. See the tension?

I don’t know if you struggle with this proverb. But, if you do struggle, make sure that you are struggling, not merely accepting. Join me in buying that truth.–JMB