All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
– 2 Timothy 3:16-17
What if I told you that I could guarantee you something that was profitable – something you can invest in without having to understand the stock market? You can build capital without being a capitalist? It is lucrative, but not connected to “filthy lucre” (see Titus 1:11).
Well, St. Paul just introduced you to just such a value-able opportunity. And you don’t have to invest any money, but you will have to invest time. It is investing ourselves into God’s holy, inspired, profitable Word, aka “Scripture” – every bit of it.
Now, you might wonder why something that offers you so much is ignored by so many Christians. The answer is unfortunate.
It is not without reason that Jesus called His followers disciples. Literally, it means learner. Holy Scripture is profitable, it says, for teaching, but too many Christians think their learning days ended with Sunday School or Confirmation Class. And yet, God’s Word is so deep that you can never touch bottom, and so shallow that even a child can learn about the promises of God.
Other people would rather stay ignorant of the deeper things of God because it might show them areas where they need reproof, which says, “Stop that! It’s hurting you,” or correction, which says, “Do this instead; you’ll never regret it.” Still others dislike the thought of being trained, thinking, “What I don’t know, I don’t have to do. Keep me ignorant.”
And yet, there is great profit and promise to be found digging deeply into God’s Word. In it we find words of hope, comfort, salvation, encouragement, guidance. Never stop until you are “complete” and “equipped.” Then God can truly use you for His eternal purposes.
Prayer:
Lord, Your Word is truly a “lamp to our feet and a light to our path.” Give us a desire to ever learn and grow in You.
Daily Reading: Luke 8
– Contributed by Rev. Paul Peckman