I have always been intrigued by old Bibles, so several years ago I purchased a large family Bible from the 1870’s that was in mint condition. It was beautiful. Gold with rich warm brown leather! I could only imagine who might have used the Bible for worship and in what circumstances. The family history section in the front had no entries and there wasn’t a single mark that I could find on any page! And then it dawned on me … this Bible hadn’t been used much, if any. It was an ornament, a decoration and a 15lb. paperweight.

The Bible should be our standard of truth, a mirror to examine ourselves and a road map that will let us chart the paths of our lives. How would we know an objective truth of God from the subjective truth of man without God’s word? If we are obedient, the Bible shows us how to live in Christian freedom and receive blessings as the paths that God would have us take become clear. The following verses clearly show us the value of God’s word as seen through the pages of the Bible.

“All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:23-25 (NIV)

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

The Impact of One Bible

Over the years Bibles for China has worked with several in-country partners. One of those partners conducted an informal survey one year after a Bible distribution. Their findings were that many of the Bibles had been read cover to cover in six weeks, most Bibles were shared with five others (both friends and family), and three of those five committed their life to Christ after reading the Bible. Isaiah 55:11 tells us that God’s Word will, “achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

I saw the need of the Chinese people in person, felt their love for Christ and belief that the Bibles will change the lives of the Chinese people. Become involved. Pray for the ministry. Help with the cost of the Bibles.