WASTE NOT, WANT NOT.

So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” – John 6:12

REFERENCE
John 6:4-13

Many people are where they are today financially because of the way they handle or manage their money. Sometimes when people have a lot of money, they become prodigal because they keep spending without really taking stock of their outflow. It is as if a hole has been cut in their ‘pocket’ and it can’t keep money. We see from our text that God hates waste; especially because many are starving. Hence Jesus told the disciples to gather the fragments after everyone was satisfied, so there won’t be any loss (waste).

It is often said that, “Little drops of water make an ocean.” The fragments you waste every day could amount to something meaningful over time. Therefore, to avoid a behavior of waste or to discontinue it, you must be disciplined with what you have.

See some practical tips to help you stop the waste:

a. Check unnecessary spending: Avoid making frequent trips to the mall. Don’t buy what you don’t need. Don’t cook more than is needed which will eventually become stale. Avoid impulsive buying.

b. Study your bills: Track what happens with your phone bill, electricity bill, cable TV and internet bills, etc., to see where you can make some adjustments in order to save some money.

c. Bank your money first – give yourself time to think before spending your money. Spend on paper first. Have a budget and do more of wireless money or transactions than carry cash around. This helps you track your spending also.

d. Be mindful of your charities – listen to the Spirit of God and learn to say NO especially to those that are serial beggars, that just invent ways to rip you off.

e. Learn to negotiate – don’t always take the first shelf price. Haggle prices with sellers and save yourself some cost.

Let me give you 2 rules about money: Rule 1. Don’t spend all you earn, save some. Rule 2. Never forget Rule 1.

When you have excess, it is not for you to use on frivolities, but to invest and bless other people. “If you keep wasting, you will soon start wanting.”

ADDITIONAL STUDY
Proverbs 20:14, Luke 11:3, & II Kings 4:1-6.

PRAYER POINT
Ask for wisdom to be financially disciplined; and for grace to enable you stop every form of financial bleeding and wastage.