Wastefulness

It is axiomatic that the Christian is to be thrifty his outlook.  He is to be frugal in his expenses, and economical in his purchases.  In other words, he will not be a spendthrift with his money or wasteful with his resources. Even Benjamin Franklin recognized this problem of wastefulness. One of his 13 virtues included “Frugality”: “Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself, that is, waste nothing.”  Although Franklin wasn’t a Christian, this is a virtue that true Christians also need to learn.

The follower of Christ will want to save his time for the Lord since God has allotted him a finite amount of it (Ephesians 5:15-16).  He will want to be careful in the way he uses his income, since God will hold him accountable for the way he uses money (Luke 16:10).  He will be a good steward of his possessions (his house,  car, clothes, and property), since God has placed this in his hands to use for His glory and the blessing of his family and others.

Most people have heard the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).  Why do we call the younger son who went to the distant country the “prodigal” son?  Prodigal means “wastefully or recklessly extravagant.”[1]  This irresponsible son was wasteful.  He was extravagant in his spending so that soon he had nothing (v. 14).  He squandered the limited amount of money that he was given as his inheritance.

Finally, in repentance, he returned home to his father who accepted him fully.  The father exclaimed, “This son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found” (v. 24).  This wasteful and selfish son was in a distant country sinning and he needed to repent and be reconciled to the merciful father (vv. 17-24).  Those who are wasteful of the resources and money God has given also need to repent of their irresponsible attitude and behavior and then seek God’s forgiveness.

Do you remember the Gospel account when Jesus fed the men and women with five barley loaves and two fish (John 6:9)?  Jesus miraculously multiplied these little provisions to feed 5,000 men!  When everyone was filled, Jesus said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost” (John 6:12).  Jesus was not wasteful.  Although He could have miraculously made more food, He was careful with what He had. Are we?

Generally those who waste money, time, and possessions, are unmindful of the responsibility they have to be generous toward others in need (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).  They waste their paychecks on luxury items and they spend money on non-essentials.  They go to local entertainment spots or travel to distant places for mere excitement. They spend their money on clothes they don’t need, on food that is too expensive, on restaurants that are unneeded, and on the latest model car that isn’t advisable.

If God has given them more than needed to live, they should be giving 10 percent, 20 percent, 50 percent or more of their income to the Lord and His work.[2]  Someone has said, “Earn much, save much, and give much—and all to the Lord.”  Everyone will be held accountable for the wastefulness for which they are guilty in life.

 

[1] Random House Webster’s College Dictionary.

[2] See our sizeable work, Christian Giving.