Profitability of Scripture

There is a weekly Bible study where I work. We were finishing the book of Daniel and trying to decide where to go next. Someone in jest mentioned Leviticus or Numbers then added that they would probably be too boring. "No!" I exclaimed. "They're anything but boring." You see, the person who finds those or any other Old Testament books boring has never studied those books. And herein lies the rub--most Christians find those books boring. Get my drift here?

Consider Paul's statement to Timothy:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. ( ESV)

What had Timothy learned and believed from childhood that was so profitable? Most Christians today would say it is the New Testament books, then grudgingly admit under pressure that Paul may have been considering the Old Testament as well. How sad. The apostles' Bible for preaching the gospel was the Old Testament--Jesus was the fulfillment of all that Moses and the prophets had written.

Without going too far down Diatribe Drive, perhaps we should take a side street. Paul told Timothy that the OT Scriptures were profitable. Who doesn't enjoy a profit? In economic terms a study of the OT would have a rather high return on investment (ROI). What investor in his right mind would pass on something that good? Spiritual investment is no different, and the dividends are more secure and lasting. I have done a personal study on the book of Numbers and come away with many concepts and pictures that are directly attributable to the local church and believers individually. I plan on sharing some of them as this progresses.

And if you were wondering, for the work study we finally decided on Acts. I would have preferred an epistle, but I don't mind. It's still profitable.