There is something very special that I inherited from my grandfather. When I was in College, he had already lost much of his eyesight due to a disease called macular degeneration. One day my grandfather called me to his personal library and told me that he wanted me to inherit all the books that I wanted while he was still alive. By then I had already begun to appreciate the importance of having good books. I chose different systematic theologies and several commentaries on books like Hebrews, Romans and Revelation, which I knew would be very useful someday. I also chose the complete collection of Spurgeon’s sermons, and several older books that he had inherited from his family and from my grandmother’s family.
At that time, I greatly appreciated his inheritance, but I did not see the true value of what he did until I had children myself. My grandfather died in 2006, but what he left me will also be part of the inheritance that I will leave to my children. I thought about what he did, and I realized that if he had left me money, I would have spent it. If he had left me a piece of land or a house, it would not have had the same impact that many of his books have had on my spiritual life. Because of what my grandfather did for me, I began to invest in the inheritance that I wanted to leave to my three children, Ian, Cael and Evan: A library of books that serve as a foundation in their lives and their families. Each book I buy is a book that I know will help me learn more about the Bible, but I also know that one day it will serve to build the spiritual legacy that I want to leave for the next generation.
Since I started investing in books, I stopped lending them. I am jealous of what I want to pass on one day to my own children. If I want to share a book, I buy it and I give it to them. But I have my own collection and library that I look after as if it were a savings account in the bank. I know some will not agree. I know some will say “The only important book is the Bible!” And it is true that the Bible is a unique book and its importance and authority is without equal. But all these books are related to the Scriptures. I even have a “Heresy” section, where I can learn about what false teachers say about the Bible (including Your Best Life Now!).
Having an extensive library of biblical books manifests at least three important principles:
1. It demonstrates Humility
I have a lot to learn and I do not have all the answers. When I read what other teachers have taught about the Bible, I am recognizing my own weakness and the way in which God uses many members of the body for the edification and growth of the church.
2. It demonstrates Honour
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 states, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” Investing in good books instead of spending on superficial things is a way to honour those God has used to do his work throughout history.
3. It demonstrates Gratitude
What a privilege is the era of history in which God has allowed us to live! Never before has it been so easy to access in both printed and digital media what has been written in the history of the church, from the church fathers of the early church, to what someone from the other side of the world has just written last week. I love collecting commentaries on books of the Bible, because when I study a passage I can say, What do you think, RC Sproul? And you, James Boice? And what about you, Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones? And in passing, Why do we not ask John Calvin and Martin Luther too?
The theological resources of our time are a provision of God, and taking advantage of them is the best way to be grateful towards Him.
I’m not planning to pass down to my children money or houses. But I do plan to leave them many books which I am praying may be of great blessing in their service to God and in the knowledge and love of His Word.