God speaks through his Word and we speak back to him in prayer. Hence, Bible-reading is relating to God. It is of a different category than reading a book…What might be more helpful questions to ask? Perhaps something like this: Am I putting enough effort into fostering my relationship with God that my life proves he is my highest priority? 

I was recently part of a panel discussion when a question came up that I have heard various times and in various forms. It goes something like this: How much time should I spend reading the Bible compared to the time I spend reading other books? The question usually comes from someone who enjoys recreational reading, whether in the form of just-for-fun fiction or feed-my-soul nonfiction. He usually finds that he spends more time reading other books than he spends reading the Bible, and this leaves him grappling with guilt.

I understand the heart behind the question and appreciate the concern. Yet I can’t help but believe that it reflects something of a category error. Why do we compare reading the Bible to reading books rather than, for example, compare reading the Bible to eating our meals or spending time with a friend or spouse? I have never heard anyone ask, “Should I spend as much time reading the Bible as I do eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner?” I have never heard anyone say, “I feel guilty that I don’t spend as much time reading the Bible as I do conversing with my wife.” I don’t know many who compare the time spent reading Scripture with the time laboring for their daily bread. And I think it’s worth asking why that is.

I understand that reading the Bible involves opening a book and reading its words, yet devotional Bible-reading is not like reading Tom Clancy or John Piper or anyone else. Reading the Bible is relational as much as informational.

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