Paul Batura has a friend named Ben that owns a bookstore in Colorado Springs.  The bookstore, which features used books, is called 2 Buck Books.

Explaining to Batura where he obtained the books in his shop, Ben said, “All of these things come from the boxes of books people bring in — you’d be amazed what you find.”

“Ever find anything really valuable?” Batura asked him.

“My old colleague, Sandy, once took in a big box of books, most likely from an estate sale.  It contained a Bible,” Ben replied.  

“A valuable Bible?” Batura asked.

“Once she opened it up, she realized it was hollowed out — and it contained $2,000.”

“I think Sandy tried to find out the owner, but never did,” Ben added.  

Reflecting on his conversation with Ben, Batura wrote: “I’ve been thinking about the person who brought those books to Ben’s store, never realizing that the Bible had $2,000 in cash inside — because he or she never bothered to even crack the cover of the most powerful and most important book ever written.  A book that has changed countless lives for the better.”*

The Bible is “the most powerful and most important book ever written” because it is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Through His Word, God reveals Who He is, what He has done and will do, and what He expects of us.  In the Bible we learn of God’s great power and His great love.  We learn that God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16; 1 Peter 2:24).  God’s Word teaches us that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

John Fawcett wrote these lyrics in 1782 extolling the value of God’s Word:

How precious is the Book Divine,
By inspiration given!
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine
To guide our souls to heaven.

It's light, descending from above
Our gloomy world to cheer,
Displays a Savior's boundless love
And brings his glories near.

It shows to man his wandering ways
And where his feet have trod,
And brings to view the matchless grace
Of a forgiving God.

This lamp through all the tedious night
Of life shall guide our way
Till we behold the clearer light
Of an eternal day.

God’s Word teaches us that He will save those who place their faith and trust in Christ (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  God will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Paul Batura has a great recommendation: “So if you have a Bible in your house, open it up. You might just be surprised what you find inside. And you might never be the same afterward.” 

- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from “An old Bible held a shocking surprise that turned out to be an enriching experience” by Paul Batura, www.foxnews.com.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org