Articles
Unread
Author Louis L’Amour once wrote a short story about a man caught stealing a book from a
library. The attendant noticed that the man was acting strangely while looking at the books. He
would take books from the shelf and run his hands over them before putting them back. When he
took down a copy of Shakespeare’s “King Lear”, he ran his hands over the leather cover and then
put the book in his coat and ran from the library. The attendant chased and caught him. When
asked for the book, the man gave the reason for taking the book. He said he loved books and
libraries but could not read. He liked the feel of the book so he took it.
Imagine, an individual having such a love for books and yet not being able to read what they
say. Unfortunately for our thief, his love of books did not benefit him. Neither did it enable him
to enjoy the adventure of reading what he obviously cherished so much. He could only possess
the volume. But he was unable to know or benefit from its content.
Isn’t it possible that we might do the same thing with God’s book? That we might have a
love for it that goes no further than our friend who was unable to read? How often do we see
Bibles displayed prominently in homes and other places and know that they are not opened,
much less read. And, like Louis L’Amour’s subject gained no real, lasting benefit from the books
he could not read, so the unopened, unread Bible gives no benefit to those who only own or
display it.
If we are to truly benefit from the wisdom of God then we should seek it from its revelation
to us, the Bible. If we are to be the people of God, then we should know what that means. And
the source of that information is in the scripture. In the end, being unable to read, even though
you might want to and being able to read, but not doing so, is the same. “But study to show
yourself approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15). ~ Charles Hill
Chambersburg church of Christ, Chambersburg, PA
