Bring the Books!

Daily Devotional – Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Bring the cloak… and the books, especially the parchments.

2 Timothy 4:13 (NKJV)

I know it is wrong to be selfish. I try as much as possible to live by this principle, but sometimes I find it hard, especially when it comes to books.

I love books. I have a modest home library. My laptop hosts an even larger collection. My problem, though, is with people who borrow books and never read or return them.

Reading is tapping into the minds of great men of God, statesmen, poets, philosophers, scientists, psychologists and so on.

The Apostle Paul wrote half of the New Testament books. His writings are well-researched and meticulously organized. In his letters, he refers to contemporary writings of his day.

How else could you prepare quality writings for an audience that was fairly exposed to Greek and Roman wisdom?

Paul loved books: both religious and secular. He instructed Timothy, “Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.” 2 Timothy 4:13 (NKJV).

Paul is in a Roman prison, awaiting death, yet he asks that some books he had left at Troas be brought to him. The parchments are likely personal drafts, diaries or memoirs. These are raw materials for Paul’s letters.  

If we will have something to share with those who ask about our faith, must we not be diligent Bible students? Would we not live better lives if we studied books on nutrition, exercise and gardening?

If you studied the beliefs of non-Christians and Christians of a different conviction, would you not be better placed to share your faith?   

Like Paul, I say, “Bring the books!” I must start reading now!

Father, help me cultivate a reading culture.