I was reading the familiar story of the feeding of the 5,000 in John’s Gospel recently and this little phrase, let nothing be wasted, struck me. I’m not sure if I remember reading it before, but Jesus says it as he instructs his disciples to collect the leftover pieces from the meal (John 6:12). Why would he say this when it is clear from the story that he has all of heaven’s resources at his disposal?
Firstly, it is important to remember that waste is unsightly. I’m sure the farmer on who’s land this miracle took place would not have been impressed if the equivalent of 12 basketfuls of bread and fish had been left on his land.
Secondly, waste is only waste if it is carelessly discarded. I’m sure the people who ate this meal weren’t intentionally careless, but 5,000+ people are bound to leave a fair amount of unwanted debris behind. However, when this is collected and put into a basket, today’s waste becomes transformed into tomorrow’s lunch!
Thirdly, the avoidance of waste is an important part of Kingdom thinking. Living as we do in a land of plenty, it is easy to be careless about what we have. This instruction of Jesus encourages us to go against the grain of a consumerist mindset and instead makes us more thoughtful about how we use our resources.
Initiatives like Foodbank, Kid’s Clothes Project and Baby Bank are very much part of this Kingdom mindset where instead of throwing things away, we find another use for them. As I look in my fridge I see a lot of food which, if used thoughtfully, could feed me well over the next few days, but which could equally end up in the bin if I am thoughtless and lazy about what I eat.
This is a time of year when, at the start of the season of Lent, we think about what we might give up. Some people forego things like puddings or chocolate. It is worth considering how this commendable desire to consume less can be turned into something positive. Could the savings be used for the benefit of God’s kingdom?
Recently Adrian Lowe initiated a programme whereby some people give a small amount each month to help Greg Plunkett feed the young people who attend his Youth Ministry in Kenya. A small amount given in this way quickly multiplies when it moves from the UK to Africa. This is just one example of how it is possible to turn the savings made from reducing waste or excess into something positive. Just as the small boy who donated the loaves and fishes saw his gift multiplied, so we might see the same thing happen when we place what we are able to give into the hands of Jesus.
– Hugh Shepheard-Walwyn