missions
‘I Don’t Have Time to Read Scripture’: Bad Reasons We Neglect the Bible
By Samuel James at Desiring God
· July 12, 2026
· 7 min read
“You’re going too fast. You’re making careless mistakes.” I can still hear my dad saying this as he was helping me with my math in the basement. A worksheet or quiz lay in front of us, and its message was clear: I know how to do the problems; I’m just not doing them carefully. “Ugh,” I groan, “this
Key takeaway This sheet says the same thing as the one from 25 years ago: smart, careless student.
Why this matters
The tendency to rush through Bible reading highlights a broader challenge in Christian ministry, where the pressure to be productive and efficient can sometimes overshadow the importance of thoughtful reflection and contemplation. As many faith-based organizations and churches strive to meet the spiritual and physical needs of their communities, they must also prioritize the spiritual nourishment of their own members and leaders. By recognizing the limitations of hurried Bible reading, Christians can begin to reevaluate their approach to scripture and cultivate a deeper, more meaningful engagement with God's word. This, in turn, can inform and enrich their charitable work and ministry, as they seek to serve others with a sense of rootedness and purpose that comes from a thoughtful and intentional faith. By slowing down and prioritizing attention over efficiency, Christians can ultimately become more effective and compassionate servants of their communities.
About this story
Original reporting by Desiring God . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Desiring God . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: missions ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: Desiring God ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? “You’re going too fast. You’re making careless mistakes.” I can still hear my dad saying this as he was helping me with my math in the basement. A worksheet or quiz lay in front of us, and its message was clear: I know how to do the problems; I’m just not doing them carefully. “Ugh,” I groan, “this
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by Desiring God and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Samuel James at Desiring God. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more missions coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .