Why is handling the Bible an awesome responsibility that we should not take lightly?
Handling the Bible is an awesome responsibility because God has placed believers in places of responsibility, and the truths of Scripture are eternal. Whether teaching Sunday school, leading a women's group, serving as a missionary or pastor, one must not take it lightly.
Les explains that just as a steward had to show a profit without being taken down too far, the same principle applies to us in the Lord's service. God has placed us in places of responsibility, and to handle this Book—whether as a Sunday school teacher, women's group leader, missionary, pastor, or whatever—is an awesome responsibility. He warns, “Don't you ever take it lightly, because these things are eternal.” The surrounding context is the Spirit of Adoption and joint heirship with Christ: the Spirit bears witness that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—joint heirs with Christ. Those eternal realities make handling Scripture weighty, not trivial.