Profitable for growth

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. — 2 Timothy 3:16

Which of the following quotes are in the Bible?

1. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

2. God helps those who help themselves.

3. Confession is good for the soul.

4. Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

5. Money is the root of all evil.

6. Honesty is the best policy.

Believe it or not, only one of those quotes is found in the Bible. The fourth one is from Job 5:7.

George Müller, a pastor and orphanage director in the 1800s, wouldn’t have had trouble knowing which of those quotes were from the Bible. Why? Because he read through it more than 100 times! He said: “I look upon it as a lost day when I have not had a good time over the Word of God . . . I have always made it a rule never to begin work until I have had a good season with God and His Word. The blessing I have received has been wonderful.”

We don’t need to feel guilty if we don’t read the Bible as much as Müller did. But consider with me reading it through at least once this coming year — not so that we can answer some trick questions about it, but because it was given to us by God and is profitable for our spiritual growth (2 Tim. 3:16-17). — Anne Cetas

God’s Word is like refreshing rain

That waters crops and seed;

It brings new life to open hearts,

And meets us in our need. — Sper

READ: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Read the Bible to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy.

The Bible in one year:

• Malachi 1-4

• Revelation 22