From the Pulpit: Don’t be content!

Don’t be content! I know, those are strange words to hear from a pastor, right? The Bible teaches us to be content in any and every situation (Philippians 4:12). But I’m telling you … Don’t be content!

Don’t be content with your current level of insight and knowledge of the Bible! It is OK to be greedy in this area. Be greedy for more of God’s Word! 

I know that was a lot of exclamation points in a short amount of time, but let that convey urgency to you. 

Growing in faith through God’s Word is so, so important. But, not in the way that you may think. When someone encourages you to read your Bible more, it comes off as a chore, right? It feels like this is something that I need to do to keep God happy with me. That if I study hard enough, I will pass the written test necessary to get into heaven. That can be what we are tempted to think. 

That is the wrong way to look at the Bible. Here’s a picture that helps me explain this: think of arrows. Which way is the arrow pointing? If the arrow is pointing from us to God, the arrow is pointing up – this is something that we are doing for God. Conversely, if the arrow is pointing from God to us, the arrow is pointing down – this is all God giving something to us. 

Your time in God’s Word is not arrow-pointing-up. It is pointing down, from God to you. When you read the Bible, you are receiving from the Lord and what you receive is so valuable. The Apostle John writes, “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31) You receive life in his name – spiritual life, eternal life! 

If that wasn’t enough, here’s one more from the Apostle Paul, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

Your Bible reading is not your chore or checklist item; your Bible reading is receiving from your gracious God, who wants to richly bless you. So don’t be content! Whether you have never picked up a Bible or you read it fairly often, yearn for more – be greedy for God’s Word!