What is the world's most expensive book?

Toward the end of 2008 what was billed as the world's most expensive new book went on display at the New York Public Library. There are more expensive old books, but this is a new book produced by the Italian publisher Marilena Ferrari. It's cost: over $100,000!

The book depicts the life and work of Michelangelo, including photographs of his drawings and sculptures, creations from the Sistine Chapel, and his personal poetry.  It weighs 62 lbs, has a front cover of white marble, and is covered with red silk velvet. Its paper is from one of Italy's oldest paper mills - the mill where Picasso bought his art paper. Each book takes six months to make and comes with a 500-year warranty!  As of December 2008, more than 20 of the books had been sold to buyers around the world.

These books are valuable because of the craft, quality of materials, and time that goes into their production.  After all, the books don't contain Michelangelo's actual art, just photos of it! *

But there is ANOTHER book that is much more valuable.

The most important book ever printed - and the most valuable book - is the BIBLE, God's Word.  What makes the Bible so valuable is the content of its message: the very words of God.  It is a priceless treasure!

Christians at Thessalonica understood the value of this Book.  Paul commended them, saying: "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe." - 1 Thess 2:13

Consider the words of an unknown author as he gave tribute to the Word of God:

This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions immutable.
READ it to be wise, BELIEVE it to be safe, and PRACTICE it to be holy!

The Word of God reveals the state of man: we are sinners, and unless our situation is remedied, we are doomed to destruction (Rom 3:23; 6:23; Matt 7:13-14).

The Word of God reveals the Way of salvation: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).  Jesus is the Way of salvation (John 14:6), for He paid the price for our sins by dying on the cross on our behalf (Eph 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

To access the Way of Salvation... the Word of God teaches us that we must place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance  (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).  Then, as we walk in the light as He is in the light, then the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

God's Word is THE most important Book!  Read it to be wise, believe and obey it to be saved, and practice it to be holy.

Won't YOU?

David Sargent