God’s people should not waste resources. More than that they should not waste lessons learned from past experiences. God who gave you plenty which was over and above your need now asks you to collect the left overs.
Even though Jesus miraculously fed the Five Thousand with just five small barley loaves and two small fish, he did not want anything to go waste. So he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted” (John 6:12). They were able to fill 12 baskets with the left overs.
When God has met your need with plenty, do not forget to gather the left overs. Let nothing be wasted is his instruction. Though the instruction was primarily about food, it applies to other areas as well.
For example, many people waste their God-given talents. Though they might be talented in music, writing, speaking etc., they do not take any effort to dedicate their talents to God and invest them for God’s kingdom. They give lame excuses. Why should they doubt to use their talents when it is God who gives skill and ability to use for his glory?
Therefore, let nothing be wasted.
Some others waste their God-given influence. Whether you accept it or not, many people look up to you as a role model. Are you conscious of that fact? How have you used your position of influence? Have you been a good example to others to follow? See, you are like a light on a stand. Do not waste your good influence by hiding somewhere when you should be out in the open (see 1 Samuel 10:22).
Therefore, let nothing be wasted.
Many waste God-given money. David understood it best when he said, “Everything comes from you” (1 Chronicles 29:14). Therefore far above what he had collected from others, he gave from his personal treasure to God’s temple (1 Chronicles 29:3). The money that should go for God’s purposes should not be diverted to meet selfish ambitions and projects (it applies to seemingly godly projects which are for man’s glory and not God’s).
Therefore, let nothing be wasted.
Above all these, do not waste God-given experiences. Peter and some other disciples of Jesus were fishermen. But then God called them to become fishers of men. David was a shepherd. But then God called him to shepherd the nation of Israel. Paul was a learned man. But then God called him to be an apostle to the gentiles and his learning was put to good use in writing letters which have become a precious part of the New Testament.
What you are today is to be used by God in your role tomorrow. So do not consider your experiences of life as not having meaning. Whatever you feel about today’s circumstance, know that God will call it to account tomorrow. He will make it good and complete what He has begun to do in your life (Philippians 1:6).
Therefore, let nothing be wasted!
Even your tears are not wasted! David, who went through great difficulties in life, while his enemies the Philistines had seized him in Gath, prayed: “Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll-are they not in your record” (Psalm 56:8 NIV)? A modern way of understanding this would be to have your tears collected by God in a bottle! Dear brother/sister, none of your tears go waste. God will not allow them to be wasted. He will yet turn your wailing into dancing and remove your sackcloth and clothe you with joy (Psalm 31:11).
Therefore, let nothing be wasted!
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Lesson 4: Philip–The Man Jesus Found