“When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” – John 6:12(KJV)
God abhors wastage. In John 6:1-17, we read, we saw that after feeding about five thousand people, God did not leave behind the left over, rather He asked that they be gathered together and be carried in baskets by the disciples.
It’s obvious that God who created several basket full from just five loaves and two fishes can create a lot more when the need arises but rather than wasting the remnants of what he had already produced, he asked that they be packed and loaded into baskets. These could be given to others that need the food and will thus save them from hunger.
We should continuously think beyond ourselves and see what we can do to others. We may have sufficient resources to take care of ourselves and family but we must always remember that a number of others have not got enough. This should help us to always get our left over for others that may need them. Thus in John 6:12(KJV). …”When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost”. Jesus did not want anything to be wasted!
Beside the left over, it is interesting to note that the passage did not talk of Jesus eating the meal or even hungry but rather, he created more food for others who he perceived would be hungry. This points to the fact that we should care for our neighbours. If and when we perceive our friends, associates, subordinates, employees or even servants to be in need, we should do whatever is in our capacity to provide for them. That is what Christianity is all about. It is about spreading the good news even by providing for the physical and spiritual needs of others.
Jesus reiterated this in Matthew 25:34-36, 40(KJV). “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
We need to carry this consciousness wherever we go.
Prayer: Father, help me to consciously provide for others out of the abundance you have given me.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero