Do you buy books you don't read? Feel guilty about it? I've got dozens I haven't read yet; I'm looking at four right now that we bought last week at The Book Lady -- mostly history books.
I went thru a season a few years ago where I purchased commentaries and Bible background books, knowing they would sit on a shelf until I needed them. And I have needed them, and I'm glad they're there when I do. That's what a library is. Do you have your own little library? Justin Taylor from Between Two Worlds thinks it's a good idea :
I'm not bothered by owning a lot more books than I've read, nor am I moved by people saying that they're not going to buy any more books till they've read the ones already on their shelves.
Years ago Iain Murray drew a connection between God's providence and the timing of reading books. He pointed out that if he had read Jonathan Edwards's Religious Affections as a younger man it would have meant little to him at that stage in his life, but years later--in God's timing--it was revolutionary.
I've also been helped by (the) comparison of books to "tools in a toolbox." Years may go by without using a certain tool, but when a project comes along where you need it, you're very glad it's in the toolbox.
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