December 16

Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding. — Prov 23:23 BSB

We don’t buy the truth with money; the price we must pay is our self-will, pride, and self-confidence. We should surrender ourselves to the truth completely and without delay. Those who refuse to pay the price for truth, no matter how small, are losing out while they think they are saving.

There’s a story of King Tarquin and the sibyl. The sibyl offered the king nine books of prophecies and advice about Rome for a high price, but the king hesitated. The next day, the sibyl returned with only six books, having destroyed three, and asked for twice the price. Again, the king refused. She returned a third time with just three books, demanding an even higher price. At last, the king bought the remaining books, but at the cost of half his treasure.

Similarly, truth is offered to us at a price. If we delay, the offer becomes less, but it costs us more. The best time to seek and live by God’s truth is in our youth, when the full treasure is available. We buy the truth by living it, regardless of the sacrifice.