FEBRUARY 22
“Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost.”
John 6:12
One might think that since Jesus had such power to create
fish and bread from nothing, He would not be so concerned about
that which might be wasted. But the opposite is the case. Being
the One who, by divine power is responsible for creating, He is
the more concerned that what He provides not be wasted. In
nature there is what we call a “balance”. Weaker animals are
devoured by stronger, and the bones that are left are picked by
the vultures, eaten by worms, and finally that which is not consumed
for food is left to enrich the soil. But in the realm of
men we live by what is called the “economy of wasteful consumption”.
It is a planned waste including the building of appliances
that are planned to be cast aside within a short period so that
more will be purchased. Such an economy is far from that
planned by the Creator. That which He creates with infinite
insight and almighty power is not to be taken so lightly as to
be wasted. Talent which God gives is to be used to its fullest.
Ability is to be cultivated and exploited. Strength is to be spent
in His service and in developing ourselves according to His will.
God creates nothing to be wasted or misused, and to do either
one is a sin against the Creator. This is especially true of life,
for Jesus said that “this is the will of him that sent me, that
of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but
should raise it up at the last day.” (John 6:39). He who
carefully gathers the left overs from a meal, surely is displeased
to see men wasting life, virtually throwing it away on useless
temporal things that are perishing. To follow the example of
Jesus is to be conservative not only in things, but with our selves
and life which He gives.
PRAYER: Loving Father, teach me to use my substance, and my life, that your
investment in me will not be lost. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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