May 21, 2024 – Waste Not, Want Not

Waste Not, Want Not
May 21, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 12:25-28
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    For people who grew up during “The Great Depression,” wasting things was out of the question. They learned the value of using everything to its fullest and taking care of their possessions to make them last as long as possible.

    Today, we live in a disposable generation where items are designed to be thrown away. We’ve become accustomed to disposing of things so much that some people discard non-disposable items simply because they no longer like them. In many cases, these items could have been donated to a charity or given to a friend. However, in this disposable item generation, it’s often seen as easier to just toss them out rather than dealing with the hassle of finding another use for them.

    The idea in our verse, “the slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting:” addresses just such a problem. Lazy or careless individuals appear to disregard the value of life itself and end up wasting it. They not only waste their possessions but also squander their time and talents. Then, when life reaches its end, they often wonder why they have nothing to show for it. Many times, it’s because they didn’t appreciate what they had. They took time for granted, thinking it would never run out. They believed that material things were replaceable, and their talents were often selfishly used. Eventually, even their talents began to diminish.

    Remember, life itself is a gift from God, and this means that all the things and talents we possess in this life are also gifts from Him. Understanding that God grants us these gifts is why our passage emphasizes that “the substance of a diligent man is precious.”

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    “Waste not, want not” is another old saying. When we recognize the giver, everything He bestows upon us becomes precious, and we won’t have the desire to squander His gifts. By not wasting what He provides, we might earn His trust to receive even more. Food for thought!

What might you be wasting that God could use
to be a blessing to others?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: May 21, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Chronicles 7-12
   Proverbs 12:25-28

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 11-12
   John 6:34-71