Chapter 15—The Value of Bible Study
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all
good works.” [
2 Timothy 3:16, 17
.] The word of God is like a treasure-
house, containing everything that is essential to perfect the man of
God. We do not appreciate the Bible as we should. We do not have
a proper estimate of the richness of its stores, nor do we realize the
great necessity of searching the Scriptures for ourselves. Men neglect
the study of the word of God in order to pursue some worldly interest,
or to engage in the pleasures of the time. Some trivial affair is made
an excuse for ignorance of the Scriptures given by inspiration of God.
But anything of an earthly character might better be put off, than this
all-important study, that is to make us wise unto eternal life.
My heart aches as I see men—even those who profess to be looking
for Christ’s coming,—devoting their time and talents to circulating
books that contain nothing concerning the special truths for our time,—
books of narrative, books of biography, books of men’s theories and
speculations. The world is full of such books; they can be had any-
where; but can the followers of Christ engage in so common a work
when there is crying need for God’s truth on every hand? It is not our
mission to circulate such works. There are thousands of others to do
[116]
this, who have as yet no knowledge of anything better. We have a
definite mission, and we ought not to turn from it to side issues, em-
ploying men and means to bring to the attention of the people books
that have no bearing upon the present truth.
Do you pray for the advancement of the truth? Then work for it,
and show that your prayers rise from sincere and earnest hearts. God
does not work miracles where he has provided means by which the
work may be accomplished. Use your time and talents in his service,
and he will not fail to work with your efforts. If the farmer fails to
plow and sow, God does not work a miracle to undo the results of his
neglect. Harvest-time finds his fields barren—there are no sheaves to
94