I’ll be honest, as a lifelong book lover no one needs to push me to buy a book or two. Lately I tend not to splurge because I have hundreds of unread books between my Kindle freebies and paperbacks. It seems like a total waste of money if I don’t have time to read the books I already own.

After working late one evening, I dropped by the store to pick up groceries. There I stumbled upon a small display of discounted books…and they were all Christian fiction and non-fiction. How could I resist?

It’s been a challenging year for our family dealing with my aging in-laws, tight finances, and our girls feeling like their parents do little more than work. And after an exhausting week, poking around in the discounted books bin was just the therapy I needed.

While buying books for entertainment is great, buying books with a purpose is even better. Choosing a title that will bring you peace or comfort or refresh your soul is worth every penny. These aren’t books you read once and donate to the library. They are books you ponder. They are books that teach you things. They are books you cherish and refer to often. They are books that can strengthen your relationship with God and your loved ones. What price can you put on that?

I could have brought home at least a dozen books, but my frugal side limited me to three. Maybe I’ll allow myself one more trip before the end of the year to see what else I find. For now, my purposeful trip has led me to consider a reading plan to make the last quarter of the year more meaningful.

Do you ever buy books with a purpose? Do you enjoy Christian devotionals or self-help books?

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2