I’ve been internally debating whether I should buy books to give away or to keep for myself. I used to think giving them away was always better because I shouldn’t be focused on “building treasure” for myself on earth. (And books are my particular weakness.) However, there are some pro’s to having your own library of Christian books…
Besides being able to use good books to better prepare for church and Bible studies, and use them as a reference after hearing something about Christianity you’re unsure about, having a library of books helps in evangelism.
After you chat to a friend and find out what’s preventing them from becoming a Christian, or what they’re struggling with as a Christian, you can lend them a book to help answer their questions. Lending the book rather than just giving it away gives you an opportunity to meet up when they return it and discuss what they’ve read. Also, lending a book puts a useful kind of pressure on someone to read it within a relatively short time span, whereas a gift book can gather dust on a shelf for years, and may not ever be read.
I suppose it all depends on the person you’re planning to lend/give the book to. An avid or eager reader can be given the book, while it might be better to lend to a not-so-curious reader.
One last thought: why not buy two copies of the next Christian book you buy? Or even three? One to keep, one on hand to give to a friend, and one to give to the St Stephen’s church library. We’re pretty desperate for new reads 
