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Last week I unearthed my library after ten years.

In 2012, I packed my library and put it into storage, keeping only a handful of my most treasured books. For a decade, my four-thousand volume library sat in boxes in a basement.

When our church finally signed a five-year lease, I couldn’t wait to bring my library out of storage. A couple of weeks ago, I rented a large cargo van and began the process of unboxing and sorting my old books and adding the ones I’ve bought in the past decade. I ended up culling half of my books.

Finally, after much longer than I’d expected, I have my library back. Here’s what I’ve learned in the process.

Books Are a Gift

In 2 Timothy 4:13, Paul made a request to Timothy. “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.”

Commenting on 2 Timothy 4:13, Spurgeon comments, “He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things which it was unlawful for a men to utter, yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books!”

Many of us can relate.

Books are a gift. I have at my fingertips some of the best thinking of scholars and theologians over hundreds of years. As I unboxed my books, I felt joy at being reunited with what feels like old friends.

Some Books Matter More Than Others

Spurgeon went on to counsel, “You need to read. Renounce as much as you will all light literature, but study as much as possible sound theological works, especially the Puritanic writers, and expositions of the Bible.”

I believe light reading has its place, but Spurgeon is right. I was most thrilled to rediscover theological and reference works, classics (including Puritan works), and biographies. The pragmatic books didn’t fare as well. I chuckled as I found books predicting what ministry would be like in the twenty-first century.

Renounce books that won’t be read in ten years. Invest in books that have stood the test of time, as well as books that contain timeless wisdom that will be read for years to come.

Books Are a Burden

Although books are a gift, they’re also a burden. They needed to be boxed, transported, stored, sorted, and carried. My muscles are sore. One day, when I move, I’ll have to repeat the process. One day, when I’m gone, someone will have to figure out what to do with all my books.

Books also carry an implied obligation. I used to buy books thinking that I’d have time to read them all. Now I realize that I’ll never be able to read even a fraction of the books that interest me.

Are books worth it? Absolutely. But they come at a cost, and it’s worth being as strategic as possible when paying that price.

Both Physical and Electronic Books Have Their Place

When I started buying books, digital books didn’t exist. Now I have a sizable digital library. As I unpacked my books, I immediately checked to see if I owned a digital copy. If I did, I set the physical book aside to give away. I love the convenience of carrying thousands of commentary and reference books on my computer and tablet. And I enjoy reading on my e-reader in bed.

But I’m sad that my license to my digital books will expire when I’m gone. Some of the best books in my library were passed down to me from pastors who are now in glory. I’m sad I won’t be able to do this with my digital library.

No matter how big my digital library gets, I love the beauty of a physical book. I love both, and I’m grateful for all of them.

I’m grateful to have my library back. What a gift. What a responsibility.

“Paul cries, ‘Bring the books’—join in the cry,” writes Spurgeon. Sounds good to me.

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