“Anyone who can quote a book or chapter from the Bible gets $50 cash.” Thanks to our owner’s creative way of encouraging our team, we gathered at work for a fun game of trivia. I am HORRIBLE at trivia! I can’t even remember my own age without calculating from the year I was born. I was resigned to the fact that my team would benefit from this game and I would be there to cheer them on! As the questions were asked I waited for someone to answer because I had no clue.
Then the offer came for $50 cash to the first person who could quote a book or chapter of the Bible. After the question, I paused, allowing each member of our team the opportunity to answer. No one stepped up so I bowed my head to focus and began to quote Psalm 103.
As promised, I was handed a 50 dollar bill for my efforts!
Since I didn’t memorize Bible verses for financial gain, here are a few of my motivations:
- Scripture calls for God’s Word to be in our heart. (Colossians 3: 16); (Duet. 6: 4-9)
- Jesus quoted scripture often and I want to be like Him. (Matthew 4:1-11)
- It allows me to quote God’s words back to Him when I pray. It encourages me and confirms what I’m asking for is lined up with His truth.
- It helps to keep me from sinning. (Psalm 119:11)
- God’s word is truth. (John 17:17) Therefore, knowing truth helps me identify lies!
- It is useful for encouraging or counseling others. I can’t tell you how many times a verse comes to mind when speaking with someone who is hurt or troubled. We don’t have to rely on our own opinion when we can use scripture. We can be sure God’s word will not return void.
- It’s an easy way to earn $50
If someone who can’t remember her age can memorize verses, chapters, and a book of the Bible, I’m pretty confident you can too!
Whatever your motivations to memorize scripture, it is a valuable discipline.
What favorite verses have you memorized?
Copyright©2016, Gloria Stucky