What does a trashed bible say?

A bible that's falling apart is usually owned by people who aren't!

This is a so-so Christian bumper sticker, with an element of truth, but there's a significant difference between used and falling apart.

I've been at churches and involved in ministries where bibles are missing covers, have been torn, scribbled on and generally thrown about.

But bibles which are falling apart don't send a positive message about the way you view the scriptures.

We shouldn't coat the bible in tissue paper, only cracking it out on special occasions, but surely we should value it enough (if we truly believe it reveals the character of God and His unfolding salvation story) to not see it be trashed and be comfortable.

And when you can get quality bibles cheaply, is there really any excuse?