Power for Abundant Living

The Bible is the Word of Godof God. I used to read two or three theological worksweekly for month after month and year after year. Iknew what Professor so-and-so said, what Dr. so-andsoand the Right Reverend so-and-so said, but I couldnot quote you The Word. I had not read it. One day Ifinally became so disgusted and tired of readingaround The Word that I hauled over 3,000 volumes oftheological works to the city dump. I decided to quitreading around The Word. Consequently, I have spentyears stu-dying The Word - its integrity, its meaning,its words.Why do we study? Because God expects us asworkmen to know what His Word says.I Corinthians 12:1:Now concerning spiritual gifts [matters], brethren,I would not have you ignorant.Since God would not have us ignorant, there isonly one way He would have us to be - smart.We are to study to show ourselves approved untoGod, not to man. You do not study to show yourselfapproved unto the leading financier in your community,or to the heads of your denominations. Whethermen approve you or not isn't of primary importance;the primary thing is to stand approved before God.And the only way you are going to stand approved120