Prov 23:23 Buy the truth and do not sell it-- wisdom, instruction and insight as well.
I made an enquiry about certain things from someone I thought should know. Due to his limited knowledge about the subject of my enquiry, he referred me to an expert in the field. I called the man on phone and I told him I was referred to him by "Rev XXX". He told me that he sells information and that I'll have to pay for the little information he wanted to give me. I needed that information badly because it will help me to make informed decision. I paid him a token for consultation after he spoke to me and shared the truth about my subject of enquiry.
While that may sound odd to some persons, that goes to show that getting quality information comes at a cost. Even in spiritual things, getting to know certain spiritual truths comes at a price. Paul paid the price for the depth of revelation he wrote in his epistles. He told us that he spent three solid years in Arabia: "To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus, Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days", Gal 1:16-18. What do you think he was doing in Arabia for three years? In my opinion, I think that was where he paid the price for his deep insights into the mysteries of grace.
Dearest, true knowledge comes at a cost. It is either you pay the price of your money or the price of your time. Some persons desire to improve in certain fields or sphere of life but they are unwilling to pay the price. It is painful when believers shun buying of good books, CDs or trainings yet they want to grow. I'm yet to see a high flyer in any field of endeavour who didn't commit time and money to self development. When we were young believers, they told us to empty our pocket into our head and some of us did. Today, I am reaping the harvest. Never let the price/cost of self development becloud the worth of value you'll add. That's the secret of growth and self development.
Father, I receive the grace to pay the price for self development in Jesus name.