Does Truth Have Its Price Tag?
by Randy Amos, Rochester, NY
Regardless of the amount on the tag, a
price tag indicates the owner's willingness to sell the item. Do we put
price tags on certain truths in God's Word? Are we willing to give them
up if the "price is right?"
Many Christians today put the truths revealed in God's Word into one of two categories. First, there are fundamental truths. Those upon which the Christian faith is built. Truths such as; God, the person of Christ, the Bible, and the Gospel of Christ that saves by faith alone. Second, there are secondary truths. These truths are viewed as "non-essential” since the faith does not rise or fall with them. Truths such as believer's baptism, church government, the role of men and women in the church, Christian ethics, and holy living might be placed in this category.
We could also add a third category, that of personal convictions. Convictions that are based on principles found in God's Word, and which we are convinced honor and glorify Him.
When it comes to “fundamental” truths most Christians would not sell these precious truths no matter what the price. (Praise the Lord!) Neither popularity, family approval, nor persecution could convince them to do so. However, “secondary” truths and personal convictions are often considered saleable if certain situations warrant it. Thus, these categories have a price tag. For some the price tag is different than others. Some have sold truth for the low price of convenience, traveling distance, or personal comfort, while others only gave up truth when it involved the children or a spouse, and so the price was much higher. Though the price may have varied, there was a price at which the truth became expendable.
Is there a time when “secondary” truths can be sold? The book of Daniel answers this and other questions concerning all truth found in God's Word for His people with beautiful illustrations from the life of Daniel and his friends.
Early in the book of Daniel we find Daniel and his three godly companions serving the living God, “whose works are truth” (4:37). They were in the middle of a world system that did not regard truth as absolute, and which operated solely on the basis of power. Three times (chapters 1, 3 and 6) they were faced with opportunities to sell the truth of God. The price offered for truth in all three cases was exceedingly high. However, there are some interesting differences in each situation that teach us different and valuable lessons.
In Daniel 1 the truth at issue was not fundamental. It was not one of the ten commandments, but simply one of the hundreds of ordinances in the Old Testament. In question was the ordinance which prohibited the eating of unclean meat and meat containing blood. (Lev. 11 & 17) The price offered for this truth was quite large – a 3 year scholarship at Babylon University with free room and board, and a guaranteed career in the royal palace after graduation. Though only an ordinance, even this “secondary truth” was not for sale as “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat.”
In Daniel 3 the truth in question was fundamental. It involved the First Commandment, which forbids bowing down to an idol. (Ex. 20: 1-5) The price offered for this truth was extremely high. Their lives would be spared from a scorching death and their royal careers secured. However, truth is truth, and the reaction was exactly the same as when dealing with secondary truth. Regardless of the price offered, and regardless of whether God delivered them or not, they would not disobey Scripture as they declared, “we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image.”
In Daniel 6 a personal conviction comes under attack. The truth at issue here was neither “fundamental,” nor “secondary,” but simply a personal conviction that glorified God. Daniel prayed to the true and living God three times daily. The price offered for this conviction was also attractive. Daniel's royal career and life would be spared from being ripped apart by lions. Rather than convey that his personal conviction and habit of prayer were for sale, Daniel continued to kneel in obvious prayer. He made no attempt to hide the fact that be was praying. Even this personal conviction bad no price tag for this man of God.
Could this be part of the reason Daniel was called, “O man greatly beloved...”? (10:19) Could this also be part of the reason why God entrusted Daniel with greater revelation of truth? “And now will I shew thee the truth” (11:2). It is time for the church to realize that all of God's Word is truth and is to be held, and not sold at any price. “Hold the traditions (ordinances) which ye have been taught” (2 Thess. 2:15).
Many Christians today put the truths revealed in God's Word into one of two categories. First, there are fundamental truths. Those upon which the Christian faith is built. Truths such as; God, the person of Christ, the Bible, and the Gospel of Christ that saves by faith alone. Second, there are secondary truths. These truths are viewed as "non-essential” since the faith does not rise or fall with them. Truths such as believer's baptism, church government, the role of men and women in the church, Christian ethics, and holy living might be placed in this category.
We could also add a third category, that of personal convictions. Convictions that are based on principles found in God's Word, and which we are convinced honor and glorify Him.
When it comes to “fundamental” truths most Christians would not sell these precious truths no matter what the price. (Praise the Lord!) Neither popularity, family approval, nor persecution could convince them to do so. However, “secondary” truths and personal convictions are often considered saleable if certain situations warrant it. Thus, these categories have a price tag. For some the price tag is different than others. Some have sold truth for the low price of convenience, traveling distance, or personal comfort, while others only gave up truth when it involved the children or a spouse, and so the price was much higher. Though the price may have varied, there was a price at which the truth became expendable.
Is there a time when “secondary” truths can be sold? The book of Daniel answers this and other questions concerning all truth found in God's Word for His people with beautiful illustrations from the life of Daniel and his friends.
Early in the book of Daniel we find Daniel and his three godly companions serving the living God, “whose works are truth” (4:37). They were in the middle of a world system that did not regard truth as absolute, and which operated solely on the basis of power. Three times (chapters 1, 3 and 6) they were faced with opportunities to sell the truth of God. The price offered for truth in all three cases was exceedingly high. However, there are some interesting differences in each situation that teach us different and valuable lessons.
In Daniel 1 the truth at issue was not fundamental. It was not one of the ten commandments, but simply one of the hundreds of ordinances in the Old Testament. In question was the ordinance which prohibited the eating of unclean meat and meat containing blood. (Lev. 11 & 17) The price offered for this truth was quite large – a 3 year scholarship at Babylon University with free room and board, and a guaranteed career in the royal palace after graduation. Though only an ordinance, even this “secondary truth” was not for sale as “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat.”
In Daniel 3 the truth in question was fundamental. It involved the First Commandment, which forbids bowing down to an idol. (Ex. 20: 1-5) The price offered for this truth was extremely high. Their lives would be spared from a scorching death and their royal careers secured. However, truth is truth, and the reaction was exactly the same as when dealing with secondary truth. Regardless of the price offered, and regardless of whether God delivered them or not, they would not disobey Scripture as they declared, “we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image.”
In Daniel 6 a personal conviction comes under attack. The truth at issue here was neither “fundamental,” nor “secondary,” but simply a personal conviction that glorified God. Daniel prayed to the true and living God three times daily. The price offered for this conviction was also attractive. Daniel's royal career and life would be spared from being ripped apart by lions. Rather than convey that his personal conviction and habit of prayer were for sale, Daniel continued to kneel in obvious prayer. He made no attempt to hide the fact that be was praying. Even this personal conviction bad no price tag for this man of God.
Could this be part of the reason Daniel was called, “O man greatly beloved...”? (10:19) Could this also be part of the reason why God entrusted Daniel with greater revelation of truth? “And now will I shew thee the truth” (11:2). It is time for the church to realize that all of God's Word is truth and is to be held, and not sold at any price. “Hold the traditions (ordinances) which ye have been taught” (2 Thess. 2:15).
Milk and Honey, Vol. VI., January 1991, No.1
