When they had all had enough to eat, [Jesus] said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. John 6:12-13
“All are satisfied; all had enough to eat. John portrays this miracle, not a eucharistic mouthful, still less an ethical lesson on how to shame people into sharing their lunches. This is the ample provision of the Lord who declares, ‘My people will be filled with my bounty’ (Jeremiah 31:14). Though the Lord has lavish abundance to meet the needs of the people, he will let nothing be wasted.”
D.A. Carson in The Gospel According to John (PNTC; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990) 270-271.
I am weary of getting appeals in the mail that try to shame me into sharing. They’re uninspiring. I wonder if relief organizations might take a different approach. What if they reminded all who are satisfied to gather what is left over and let nothing be wasted? Think about it.
When God looks at the world, generally speaking, I think He sees half of it hungry for food and thirsty for clean drinking water. Those who enjoy these gifts need not be shamed into sharing but educated as to what to do with any surplus. It should be gathered for sharing with those in need and not wasted.
Paul follows suit in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4. He does not beg people to give to feed starving people in Jerusalem. He gives them instructions, the same ones he gave the Galatian churches, and gathers their collective surplus and delivers it to famine-stricken Christians.
What’s my point today? If God has graciously and abundantly provided for you, if you eat and are satisfied, gather the pieces that are left over. They are not yours. Let nothing be wasted. Your surplus is another’s supply. This miracle Passover meal had twelve baskets leftover: the provision of Jesus was sufficient for all Israel.
“Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”