Harold Keller / L’Observateur / December 20, 2000

A recent article by David Gibson (Newhouse News Service) stated that 92 percent of Americans own at least one Bible, and the average household has three. According to the article, the Bible is the best-selling, least-read andleast-understood book.

I was reminded that when my children were growing up, we had at least five Bibles in the house. I remember one big, beautiful, white Bible that sat on ourliving room table. I’m sure that some of the people who visited us wereimpressed. It needed to be dusted once in a while, because it was never used.All of my life, I attended church on a regular basis, but it wasn’t until I was 45 years old that I started reading the Bible. When I think back of all theyears I neglected reading God’s Word, or “the Good Book,” as it is referred to, I feel cheated. I cheated myself from all the wisdom that was available asI was raising my family.

In a National Bible Week survey conducted by Zondervan Publishing House of Minneapolis, 86 percent of respondents said the Bible is relevant in today’s world, and 80 percent believe that the Bible can address all or most of today’s problems. If so many people really believe this, isn’t it ridiculous for aperson not to take advantage of such information? Every year, 20 million Bibles are sold in the U.S. and tens of millions aredistributed free, but Bible reading is declining. Why?My opinion is that man is confused by the simple solution to everyday problems and situations found in this great book. Man’s intellect tells himthat lift must be more complicated than the formula for a successful life that is outlined in the Bible.

The bottom line is that people have a strong faith in the Bible, butlittle knowledge. We forget to search the Scriptures for our spiritual food. Wedepend on other books, tapes and people to feed us spiritually. Wouldn’t it bewiser to go directly to the source – God’s Word? I’m sure that some readers will think that maybe a Bible would make a good Christmas gift. Not really. Most families have at least one in their household.This Christmas, make a decision to open a present from God that you’ve had for years. Open your Bible! Read it, live it, and pass the revelation tosomeone who is seeking the Truth.

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group.

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