Should You Buy a Bible?

People bought more Bibles in 2024 than they have in a number of years.

Various reasons have been given as to why Bible sales are rising, from people facing depression and anxiety to some seeking certainty in their lives. Guinness World Records states that around 80 million Bibles are printed each year. 

Do you own one? 

My first Bible

In going through some stored things, I recently found my first Bible. 

With help from my parents, I bought it in January 1965, which was 60 years ago. I was 15, and I finally had my own Bible. 

In looking through it, I noticed some notations in the book of Proverbs. That is a book that was written to help us all “to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity” (Proverbs 1:2-3).

That Bible is now tucked away in a storage box, no longer in use because it’s falling apart. Over the years, I’ve bought many new Bibles, and as I’ve grown older, I’ve found myself needing ones with larger print. Through it all, the Bible has remained a constant source of encouragement and instruction in my life.

What makes the Bible especially unique is that it’s not like a novel. A novel stays the same no matter how many times you read it. The Bible, however, is quite different. Each time you read it, you discover something new, gaining fresh insights and deeper understanding. 

It truly is the living Word of God.

Where to start reading

There are 66 different books within the Bible. They contain the words of God, inspired through His Holy Spirit: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

But with all those books and over a thousand pages, one may ask: Where do I begin? 

Genesis is often read first because its name literally means beginnings. Sometimes people will begin reading Matthew in the New Testament to learn what Jesus taught. Others will pick the Psalms to read for encouragement. 

Another approach would be finding resources that give you scriptures to read by topic.

Each of us will have a unique reason for where we choose to begin reading the Bible.

Some may prefer to start at a specific book, while others might read it straight through from Genesis to Revelation. Beginning this way is a great way to understand the background and history of what was happening during that time. (For more insight on this, read “Where to Start Reading the Bible.”)

You might find the following Bible reading plan to be helpful. It starts in January and lasts a full year: Genesis to Revelation Bible Reading Plan. (You can find other reading plans here: Reading and Writing Plans.)

When our children were young, my wife and I focused on reading to them about the kings of Israel. There are many fascinating stories in the books of Samuel and Kings. These include accounts from the time of Saul through David and Solomon and all the remaining kings who reigned in Israel and Judah.

Some obeyed God, and some didn’t. Some learned various lessons, and others refused to submit to God’s laws. An interesting requirement was that the kings were to write for themselves a copy of the Law: 

“Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). 

Studying the lives of most of these kings leads one to believe that very few actually followed this command. 

Have you ever considered doing this yourself? It’s a fascinating exercise and can easily fill a wide-ruled, three-subject notebook. There’s something uniquely rewarding about writing out an entire book of the Bible and then reading it in your own handwriting.

To learn more, read “The Benefits of Writing Out Scripture.”

What should we learn from the Bible? 

But why read those particular stories from thousands of years ago, and what difference should it make in our lives now? Paul answers that question at least twice. 

• If you don’t have a Bible, why not join the many others who are now purchasing this valuable book and get your own printed copy? “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted” (1 Corinthians 10:6).   
• “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (verse 11). 

Are we being caught up in the evils of this age? Our world is filled with sins—many of the same ones people struggled with in biblical times. Learning the lessons from the Bible can help us separate ourselves from these sins and live lives of righteousness.  

Jesus summed up His message and the necessary response this way: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15). 

How can you act on His words? 

Do you know what the gospel of the Kingdom entails? It’s in the Bible. Do you know what the Kingdom of God is all about? It’s in the Bible. Do you know what repentance means, and why it is necessary? It’s in the Bible. 

The Bible contains hundreds of concepts and instructions on how to live well. Jesus even said that He wanted people to live “abundantly” (John 10:10). 

How do we live an abundant life? It’s in the Bible.

Get started! 

If you have a Bible, that’s great! Read it and learn from it. If you don’t have one, why not join the many others who are now purchasing this valuable book and get your own printed copy?

And if you need help in understanding certain passages, concepts or what you need to be doing in your life today so as to avoid depression and anxiety, there is help available. 

One of those helps is the Life, Hope & Truth website. 

Just type your question in the search bar and you’ll be directed to helpful articles that will often include various encouraging and instructive Bible scriptures.

If you can’t find an answer there, you can always reach out to us directly on our Contact Page.

Date Posted: January 27, 2025