Never Compromise You are not for sale

Austin Gardner • March 22, 2024

Your character shows when faced with doing something wrong, as many quickly give in to the temptation to compromise. This applies to politicians, preachers, and others, with some selling out for more and others settling for less.



This tendency starts in childhood. If parents don't teach children that there are consequences for doing wrong and don't hold them accountable, children might resort to doing wrong to get what they want. Tantrums might receive rewards, and parents might consider saying "no" to them as cute. Later, they say “no” to teachers, “no” to Sunday School workers, “no” to the law, and even “no” to God. This might lead to trouble.

This inclination to compromise continues in youth, where some only do what’s right if it turns out well. They judge actions based on rewards or outcomes, believing that nothing is inherently right or wrong. Popularity, getting a new boyfriend, good grades—these become priorities over principles and character. Unfortunately, such individuals stand firm only until the price is high enough. They don't receive any instruction on living by principles, and their convictions waver as soon as the selling price can satisfy their desires.

This tendency grows in adulthood, leading to police scandals, crooked politicians, compromising preachers, loafers, lawbreakers, and home breakers.

From early childhood, it’s crucial for youth to learn about conviction, understanding that doing right is its own reward. They should be taught never to compromise for convenience or a fair price and to have a sign over their souls that says, “Not for Sale.”


By Austin Gardner July 10, 2026
The Jewish Diaspora Prepared the Way Long Before Paul Arrived
Illustration showing the four common missionary mistakes—leaving too soon, staying too long, giving
By Austin Gardner July 10, 2026
Discover the four common mistakes that keep indigenous churches from maturing and learn how biblical wisdom, patience, and grace build lasting national leadership.
Missionary mentoring and publicly honoring a national church leader, illustrating how modeling, resp
By Austin Gardner July 9, 2026
Learn how missionaries multiply lasting ministry by modeling Christlike leadership, respecting national leaders, and entrusting them with real responsibility.
Missionary handing responsibility to national church leaders through planned absences, business meet
By Austin Gardner July 8, 2026
Learn how planned absences, shared leadership, and biblical responsibility help build self-governing indigenous churches that thrive for generations.
National believers learning biblical habits through local church leadership, generosity, faithful se
By Austin Gardner July 7, 2026
Teach new believers the biblical habits that build healthy indigenous churches through stewardship, leadership, responsibility, and grace from the very beginning.
Missionaries planting a self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating indigenous church as l
By Austin Gardner July 6, 2026
Discover the two biblical principles that build self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating indigenous churches that thrive without missionary dependence.
By Austin Gardner July 5, 2026
A Work That Outlives the Worker
An American missionary shares the gospel with a family in the Andes, illustrating how God has used A
By Austin Gardner July 4, 2026
Discover why the greatest gift America has shared with the world is the gospel and how God has used ordinary believers to reach the nations.
A church sends believers into the world to carry the gospel, illustrating that the church exists to
By Austin Gardner July 3, 2026
Discover why the church exists to send laborers, not just fill seats, and how every believer can help fulfill Christ's mission to reach the world.
By Austin Gardner July 2, 2026
How to Really Pray for Missionaries: A Six-Part Series Part 6 — Pray for the Word to Run Freely