Over the years, I've accumulated a lot of Bibles in various versions and translations. Most I've purchased. Others were given to me by my publishers. One I got because I wrote a devotional for it (The Grandmother's Bible, NIV). When I downsized my home a couple of years ago, I gave away about 15 Bibles to a women's prison ministry. And still I have a large collection (the photo at left isn't even half of them).
Is it a sin to own too many Bibles?
I enjoy reading different versions like the New Living Translation, the Message, and the Amplified, but I always find my way back to my favorite (see photo of the open Bible). It's an NASB. The one in the photo wasn't my first Bible as a Christian, but it's the one I've owned through some of my best "growing in the Lord years." It's not only highlighted and underlined, it's filled with notes and dates and snippets of sermons and messages the Lord gave to me as I spent time with Him. And every time I read it, I see those "signposts" that mark where I've been and what God has taught me in the journey. The memories are precious and oh-so-meaningful to me. When I read a different Bible, I miss those memories, those signposts. I think I'll still be reaching for this Bible twenty years from now, should the Lord tarry. Either that or I'll have to transfer all of my notes to another Bible, and I'm not sure I have that many spare hours available to me.
How about you? Do you have a favorite, aging Bible that you return to again and again, one that shows the path you've walked through life with the Lord to guide you?
In the grip of His grace,
Robin
My favorite is my marked-up, starting-to-fall-apart NIV. I used NASB in Seminary. Love that version too. And I bought the ESV, too heavy to carry to church so it stays on my desk.
I keep returning to the NIV. It chronicles my faith journey if anyone dare read my tiny scratches in the margins. 🙂
May our great God bless you beautifully and mightily this day, Robin!
I have two favorites. One is a beloved old NIV that I did BSF with, and it has so many great notes. The other one is the “True Identity” Bible for women from Zondervan. It’s a great resource if you’re not in a study for asking yourself the right questions. I love that, it makes me think.
I saw a lime green one with a pink flower for Easter that’s small, and I think I’m going to have to get that one for taking to church. I left my tiny pink one in a hotel. So if it’s a sin to have too many, I am guilty
I doubt very much it’s a sin to own too many Bibles, although, it’s good to recognise that you can only read one at a time.
It’s probably worth mentioning though, that there are about 2,200 language groups that still do not have a Bible in their native tongue. That’s around 196 million people who can’t read the Bible for themselves. Maybe it would be good if you, or your readers, could find a way to support those people involved in translation work.
Check out…
http://www.wycliffe.org
http://www.seedcompany.org
My favourite version varies according to the setting, though, my favourite author was John.