I find them in nearly every city on our itinerary. In fact, I look for them when time is available! Either Bookstores or used book outlets of some kind, including library sales.

Years ago I heard a great Preacher quip, “Readers are leaders!” Often this is true. One might wonder if a Preacher does NOT read, study … has he fallen victim to a sort of laziness?

Today’s Lesson …

Paul the aged, wise Man of God wrote Timothy, sharing this bit of advice: “Give attendance to reading.” 1st Timothy 4:13, where the verb “give attendance” is really an imperative, a command! And the noun “reading” is a form of the Greek word for “knowledge!” We LEARN via what we read. Paul certainly was a man of books, being a well trained Rabbi in his pre-Christian life.

And when Paul was in prison, nearing the time of his death (execution), he still was craving books! This time Timothy was asked: “The cloke (coat) that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, AND THE BOOKS, but especially the parchments.” 2nd Timothy 4:13, plural “books!”

I heard old Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. say many a time, “You can borrow brain … but you cannot borrow character.” And really when we read the great men of God who lived in the past (their sermons, commentaries, essays, life stories) we are (in a sense) borrowing their brain power, their thoughts, worldviews!

Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe encourages young men called of God to the ministry to find some old Preacher of bygone years who thrills your soul … and read one of his sermons every day! In a way, making that giant in the faith your Pastor! (Remember, Pastors do not have Pastors! Often no one to feed them the Word of God!)

Yes, reading can be work! Ecclesiastes 12:12 says as much, from Solomon’s lips. “My son, be admonished: of making many BOOKS there is no end; and much STUDY is a weariness of the flesh.” Study can be taxing, but very rewarding!

Then of course, in all our reading ONE BOOK must hold top priority, the Word of God, the Bible! Ezra 8:1 illustrates my point. “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to BRING THE BOOK of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.” And that Book was read, and The Lord sent a great Revival!

God’s Word, inspired!

God’s Word, inerrant!

God’s Word, eternal!

Books … and the believer!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell