Should Teachers sell the Truth of YHWH or should the Truth be given away for "Free"? Proverbs 23:23

Many Jewish, Messianic, and Christian teachers sell their teaching materials. But there are those who insist this is a sinful act or a transgression against the Torah. And that accusation may be right, at least in part or at least in some cases. Yet, lets examine the verse that is typically referenced. 

Proverbs 23:23 (KJV) Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
Proverbs 23:23 (TS98) Buy the truth and do not sell it – Wisdom and discipline and understanding.

Lets also consider the Hebrew words actually being translated in this verse.

Proverbs 23:23 (KJV)  Buy^H7069 the truth^H571 and sell^H4376 it not;^H408 also wisdom,^H2451 and instruction,^H4148 and understanding.^H998

H7069 קנה qânâh BDB Definition: 1) to get, acquire, create, buy, possess 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to get, acquire, obtain 1a1a) of God originating, creating, redeeming His people 1a1a1) possessor 1a1b) of Eve acquiring 1a1c) of acquiring knowledge, wisdom 1a2) to buy 1b) (Niphal) to be bought 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to possess Part of Speech: verb

H4376 מכר mâkar BDB Definition: 1) to sell 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sell 1a2) seller (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sold 1b2) to sell oneself 1b3) to be given over to death 1c) (Hithpael) to sell oneself Part of Speech: verb

Proverb 23:23 could very easily have been translated as:  "Obtain the Truth and do not get rid of it" OR "Possess the Truth and do not forget it". The author of Proverbs is contextually not saying to "not sell the Truth". First of all, how could someone "rightfully" buy the Truth if it was "wrong" for someone else to sell it? Would not the Buyer be encouraging the Seller to sin if it was indeed sin to sell the Truth? Would that not be a hypocritical act to encourage someone to do something you think or believe is wrong to do yourself?

No, the verse is simply speaking to the Buyer and telling him not to get rid of or forget these things (Truth, Wisdom, etc) once they have been obtained.

Furthermore, what is Truth? It is not exclusively found in Scripture. The Law of Gravity, for example, is a Truth that can and does save peoples' lives when they hold and understand that Truth. For example, one does not jump from an airplane without the WISDOM of a Parachute to counteract the TRUTH of Gravity. Unless you are suicidal, it would be wise not to get rid of, sell, or forget Truth, especially Truths that are otherwise self-evident and self-preserving. 

Also, consider the automobile. It is a conglomerate of Truths packaged together and typically sold to and bought by people. You can TRULY make it from point-A to point-B (many miles or kilometers away) much faster in an automobile than by walking. That is the TRUTH. Many TRUTHS come into play to make a combustion engine work, to make a wheel roll with stability at high velocities, to keep bugs out of your teeth with a windshield, etc. And there is nothing wrong with selling a car nor is there anything wrong with buying a car if it is in your best interest to have one, considering other counter-interests you may have, such as keeping your bank account in the black or global warming fears or whatever it may be.

The reality is this: the author of Proverb 23:23 (likely King Solomon) does not specify "spiritual" or "religious" Truths. He simply refers to the value of Truth, Wisdom, Instruction, and Understanding in all their vagueness and encourages us not to get rid of them. The life of Solomon confirms he pursued those things in many realms of life, both in the natural and in the higher social and spiritual worlds. He was a great builder, innovator, and problem solver, but also a great sinner. And maybe he wrote Proverb 23:23 at the end of his life after remembering the Truths he willfully forgot or misplaced in his youth.  

Other Verses to Consider

Proverbs 4:5-7
(5)  Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
(6)  Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
(7)  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Proverbs 18:15 - The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 

Matthew 13:44 - Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

What about Isaiah 55:1-2?

Isaiah 55:1-2
(1)  “Oh everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. And you who have no silver, come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without silver and without price.
(2)  “Why do you weigh out silver for what is not bread, and your labour for what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and let your being delight itself in fatness.

Isaiah 55 (in greater context; read more of the passage) is a prophetic reference to the future Messiah Yeshua. Yeshua referenced Himself as the "Living Water" when speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:13-14). He is water that can not be purchased with silver or gold. Anyone attempting to sell eternal life should certainly be suspect in our minds.

What about Micah 3:11?

Micah 3:11 - Her heads judge for a bribe, her priests teach for pay, and her prophets divine for a price. Yet they lean on , and say, “Is not in our midst? Evil does not come upon us.”

Micah 3 is another passage that should be read in greater context and in conjunction with John 10:10-15. Micah was prophesying during a very wicked time in Jerusalem where the Temple was filled with hirelings... not shepherds who loved and nurtured the people. That state of mind continued until today where traveling "Prophets" only visit churches that pay for them and prod the people for offerings during their stay (I witnessed this repeatedly during my Pentecostal church days). Very prophetable profitable business!

Of course, it is more noble and honorable to give Truth away for "Free", but not doing so is not necessarily an unrighteousness or despicable act (unless you're trying to sell Eternal Life). For some, publishing and selling their research allows them to continue their efforts on a full-time basis... which benefits many.

knows the heart of those selling His Truth and He brings down or lifts up whomever He wishes to fulfill His own Divine purposes, but it is we the individuals who should search our own hearts and motivations and determine if our practices are done with the furtherance of His Kingdom (domain) or our own king-dom-ain (like those ministers living in numerous mansions and flying internationally in their own private aircraft). Such is what I would consider greedy or sordid gain spoken against in 1 Peter 5:2.

Shalom Aleichem!
Hanok

By the way, I do not currently nor do I have any immediate plans to sell anything from this website (so my motivation in this article is not an effort of justification).

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