It is a regular habit of mine to check out what’s new on the bible circuit. Not because I need one, I have too many as it is. Some have been given to me, others bequeathed to me, more have been bought by me. We own red, black, two blue, thumb indexed, onion skin paper, hard paper, bonded leather, genuine leather, goat skin leather, cheap, expensive, family, old, brand new in the box, small and big bibles. I like small bibles but my eyes do not, so I buy thin line large print. It is a world of choices isn’t it?!
After all of that, when I preach I prefer a Bible in my hand unless I am stuck to notes and then I do most of it on an iPad. In my daily reading, most is done on an iPad. I can read on my iPhone if on the fly or waiting for someone. Rarely do I cry foul when it comes to these things. Grateful is more the word that comes to mind, because of the convenience of having a bible of some sort on you at all times. The need for speed in our culture has forced the hand of technology again and again. For me, as long as I can have some time in the Word, I am ok with that. Why do we want to make it more difficult on ourselves? Beyond reading or making quick searches I am a firm believer in taking your time to get it right when it comes to actual study. Study is mandated for the believer and especially one who would be a spiritual leader: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2.15). The use of Bible programs have decreased the research time needed to search a topic or a specific hermeneutic. Thank you Lord for technology! I can spend less time getting the information and more time in the study of it, thus effective. Even though the devices available to us today have been a personal blessing, the best time I have in reading scriptures is still done on a paper bible. There is something about it, maybe nostalgia, maybe comfort, but it feels nice.
In my line of work I’m asked on an ongoing basis about the purchasing of a bible. Various question like: “Where do I get one?“; “Which version should I get?“; “Are these notes what we believe?“; “Is there a right and wrong color?” Apparently purchasing Bibles can be tricky business, and thoroughly confusing for the new believer. Maybe you have been in coma for the past century but there is a war going on about bible versions. There is even a war going on about using technology and the bible. There is probably a war about the wars. I am sick of it! The bible is worth fighting over, but it needs no defense or offense, it is eternal and perpetual.
What is the value of your bible and then describe it’s worth? Is it worth the war? Is it worth acquiescing? The word “value” can be used to explain the significance of a particular item. Let’s say I purchased a bible for $24.00, but the bible may be of greater value to me. The expression: “I value my time“, is an explanation of intrinsic value. I own a lot of things that might be worthless when it comes to their real price or cost, but they would prove to be of great intrinsic value to my family. On the other hand the usage has fluidity when brought against “worth” as in: the value of college education has intrinsic value, but the worth could be $60,ooo.oo. We can also discuss it as a real-value scenario: the education is valued at more than the real-cost. The cost of the education was $60,000.00 but the real-value is in the education and the real-worth is in the income that person receives over time for said education. These are some of the differences between value and worth.
Why? Glad you asked. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans’ after dinner time reading bible was sold at a Christies auction recently for $8,750.00. At the time of purchase this particuar bible would have been sold at a cost of $4.00 in the 1950’s. It was recently valued at $300.00 by an auctioneer because of the person(s) who owned it, but sold at a price of $8,750.00. Amazing! My question for pondering is this: What was it worth? Only Roy and Dale could answer that question. I value the Bibles I own, intrinsically and I see their worth at more than money can buy. Maybe that is what Solomon meant when he said: “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Provers 23.23). Because, it’s value cannot be matched and it’s worth is more than a mere human can probably fathom, much less calculate.
Tell me, what is your Bible worth to you?