Week 21, Day 2: Give Attention to Reading…
Today’s Reading: 1 Timothy 6:1-21; 2 Timothy 1:1-18
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
We have, for the last 20 weeks, been presenting this set of studies based under the heading “Give Attention to Reading.” In 1 Timothy 4:13, we see where this idea comes from! Paul, as he wrote to the young man, Timothy, encouraged him to remain steadfast in his faith. The way to do that was to “give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” In verse 15, Paul went on to tell Timothy to “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them that your progress may be evident to all.” If Timothy were to do as Paul instructed, He would indeed remain steadfast, and he would be an effective tool in the kingdom of God.
To “give attention” to something, according to Vines Expository Dictionary, means to give heed, and it suggests devotion of thought and effort to a thing. Paul wanted Timothy to give his whole devotion of thought to reading the scriptures, to exhortation gained from reading the scriptures, and to the doctrine that was revealed in those scriptures.
Far too often, we think of reading the scriptures as a tedious thing. We have to set aside time to do it, and try to put forth some effort to get through it. We let our Bible reading fall by the wayside if something more important comes up. I know that we are all very busy in today’s society, but the need to “give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” has not disappeared just because we are busy! We need to make sure that we devote time, and attention to reading God’s word, as that is the only way that we can know what He desires of us. If we are too busy to ever read, then we are just too busy!
It is amazing sometimes how much time can be spent reading other things, even when we think we don’t have time for the reading of the Bible. If you are anything like me, you probably have read many books just for pleasure. I know that I have heard (and seen writings of) many people discussing the books that they have read and enjoyed. There is certainly nothing wrong with that! But, we should also hear Christians discussing things they have read in the Bible during the week, things that have stood out to them, or things that they enjoyed in their reading. This shows that we are not only reading, but that we are “giving attention to reading…”
I appreciate all who check in on this blog, and read along with the daily readings. I hope that as we continue, we will have many more insightful comments on the passages that we are reading. We only have a few more weeks until we will finish the New Testament, and then we will start with some readings in the Old Testament, Lord willing.
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