Debian distributes updates in order to fix bugs. The updated packages are given careful testing.
If you choose not to install updates, you are choosing to keep known, certain software bugs to avoid the tiny chance that the update contains a new bug which will cause a problem for you. This is generally not a smart idea.
Review the
Linode Getting Started guide for instruction on installing updates.
But presumably something told you that 40 updates are available; didn't it offer to install them for you?