Do you study or just leave God tips?

I have had two people tell me within the last week how we just need to know and follow the basics of the Bible.
One of them was a family member and another was a close friend. Both of them basically said we just do our best and stressed that serious focus on understanding and studying the Bible was not really necessary.
I think this is pretty common thinking for a lot of professing Christians. However, I think the Bible tells us quite the opposite.
2 Timothy 3: 15-17, “and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
So, Timothy compares the scriptures as a means to salvation in an attempt to achieve righteousness. He also describe the Bible as God breathed or in my opinion God speaking.
That’s not something I wish to overlook or put little emphasis on. A man once told DL Moody (a well known American evangelist) that he intended to get enough out of a series of revival meetings to last him his whole life. Moody responded that he “might as well try to eat enough breakfast at one time to last him his lifetime.”
2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Study to show yourself approved before God. How more clear can the scriptures get?
There are many of other reasons to read the scriptures mentioned throughout the Bible. Now, when I think about what these scriptures tell us, I think it’s obvious we need to be in constant study of God’s word.
God uses his word to communicate to each and every believer. The Bible should be our guide and “road map” for everyday living and dealing with others.
The Bible says that we are to be “ambassadors for Christ” and “always ready to give a reason for the hope within us.”
How can we be so careless and negligent with such a great salvation? Is man’s true purpose here on this earth to glorify God? If you believe such a thing, how can we give almighty God a “tip” like a waiter by giving him an hour or so on Sunday like we are doing him a great favor?
If you truly are a Christian, God is at the center of a surrendered life to him and his purpose. Instead of aspiring to be the people that God calls us to be, we attempt to fabricate a more approachable, user-friendly like God appealing to the masses.
“When we attempt to make Holy God in our own image, we are worshiping ourselves!” (David Platt).
Now, why don’t we take the time to study his word? When we get alone with God’s word, and begin to understand it, it shines a spot light on our frail response to the truth of God’s grace.

Jess Thompson is a resident of Lawrenceburg. Reach him at jesstnlburg@yahoo.com.