Last week I was awarded a $50 gift certificate for the Westminster Seminary Bookstore due to my participation in their blog partners program. On Saturday I finally placed my order for goodies after taking ages to decide. There is a great deal of irony in my being awarded this gift certificate at this time in my life since I’m in the process of selling the bulk of library in preparation for moving to Cameroon to serve with Wycliffe Bible Translators. (I’m trying to load up my Kindle as much as possible.) So, while slimming down, I was awarded a free pass to a buffet!

In the end, I decided on and ordered a UBS Reader’s Greek New Testament (one without textual notes as I already have a UBS GNT, but without dictionary), a Hebrew Bible Insert (a concise syntactical guide to keep with your Hebrew Bible), a Greek New Testament Insert and a volume edited by Dr. Dave Black called Linguistics and New Testament Interpretation: Essays on Discourse Analysis. Why the last book? Well, while I’m familiar with discourse analysis, this passing comment on Dr. Black’s blog really convicted me:

5:54 PM Got the parts but now lack the proper wrenches. Can’t do the work without the right tools. It’s like trying to interpret a Greek letter without knowing anything about discourse analysis.

Who knew plumbing could be a means of sanctification!?

As you may be able to tell the books I chose reflect a investment for the long-run rather than temporary thrills. With slimming down my library I’ve had to make a lot of choices concerning books and which ones I’ll keep. My new aim is to hang onto and acquire those book which will most likely benefit those whom I am preparing to serve through work with Wycliffe as a Bible translator.

I see it this way: I am one to whom much has been given (e.g., the gospel!); therefore I must give much away. I’m not just talking about books but even more so education. I went to seminary to give it all away. I study linguistics to give it all away in the form of Bible translation. And look at this blessing of a $50 gift certificate. (Thank you, WTS Books!) I can only use that to give more away.