Are You a Bible Window Shopper?
A familiar figure on the streets is the window shopper who strolls along, gazing fondly into each display but never purchasing anything. In the spiritual realm, we often find a similar character: the Bible window shopper.
He moves through the Scriptures, admiring God’s precious promises, noticing its high challenges, and pausing before its deep messages of peace, power, and victory. But he never makes them his own. He appreciates, but he does not appropriate. He respects his Bible, defends it, treasures it—yet its riches never become living realities in his experience.
He is a window shopper in the storehouses of God’s revealed truth.
Treasures on Display, but Never Claimed
As he walks, he pauses before a jewel such as:
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). “What a rare pearl!” he says. “What lofty faith one must have to believe that!” And then he moves on. The treasure remains on display—his for the taking—yet he never claims it. How many believers linger before the Bible’s treasures and walk away empty?
“And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19). One reads that reverently, yet an hour later is worrying over adversity.
“If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17). Another admires that gem yet lives spiritually like a pauper when God intended him to live as a prince.
“So let no one boast in human leaders, for everything is yours—whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come—everything is yours, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.” (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). Many behold that open invitation to God’s unlimited resources yet live spiritually impoverished.
Window shoppers.
The Word Was Given for Nourishment, Not Novelty
The storehouse of God’s Word was never meant merely for admiration—not even primarily for study—but for sustenance.
“He answered, ‘It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4). Scripture is nourishment for the soul, resources for the spirit, treasure for the inner man. The riches displayed on every page are ours in Christ, and we have no business strolling respectfully among them only to leave unchanged.
The street window shopper often has a good reason for not buying: he lacks the means. But no believer can say that of God’s riches: “Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the water; and you without silver, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without silver and without cost!” (Isaiah 55:1).
Some window shop because they have never realized that the things of the Spirit can become actual, living realities in the midst of ordinary life. Others drift along indifferent to their spiritual poverty, living meagerly while God’s banquets lie before them. Still others substitute wistful longing for the practical experience of the Christ‑life.
Stop Window Shopping — Start Receiving
“…because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him.” (Romans 10:12).
Let us put away idle window shopping. Let us enter the deep storehouses of His Word. Let us search for its treasures old and new. And let us come forth from each visit carrying the abundance God has placed there for us.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
