“When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’”         John 6:12 (NIV)

With our children growing up and moving off to pursue their own interest, my husband and I had to learn to cook for two – this proved to be more difficult than it sounds. As a result, we generally have a lot of leftover food after dinner. Many times we have enough to take to work for lunch the next day and sometimes more for another dinner – you have to love leftover night! 

I hate to be wasteful so I save everything that I can. I even bring home the leftovers from restaurants on our date nights. My husband, on the other hand, doesn’t care for leftovers. Many people share his distaste – pardon the pun – for leftover food. I recently watched an entire episode of a cooking show devoted to repurposing leftover food to make it more appealing. However, the reality is that when we save food for later it ends up being wasted anyway. 

I find it interesting in the lesson of Jesus feeding the multitude that when He started with very little food for so many people, He still had leftovers. Of the many things we can learn from this story, I find significance in the leftovers.

Jesus tells us to “let nothing be wasted” which applies to much more than mere morsels left behind on our dinner plates. When I read this scripture, I think about personal leftovers – the leftovers of life. 

In the busyness of life, many of us work so hard at our paying jobs or on special projects that we are left feeling spent – as if we have nothing left to give. We feel like there is never enough time – no time left over to do the things we want to do. We become emotionally and physically drained. We give all that we have outside of our homes and return with only leftovers for those we love. Consequently, leftovers don’t sound too appealing. 

I know at times my family, especially my husband, probably feels that all they get are leftovers – whatever is left of me after I fulfill all of my other obligations. Truthfully, I am not sure my family always gets any leftovers because I have felt that I have nothing left to give. Sometimes I even think I have nothing left to give God. 

Therein surfaces the challenge. 

I know I need to collect all that I have and use it to the glory of God and “let nothing be wasted.” But I have been conditioned to think that leftovers aren’t good enough. 

But that isn’t true. As children of God, we are much more valuable and powerful than we can imagine. God will use every effort we make in His name to expand His kingdom. That truth tells me that the leftovers have worth. 

Leftovers = abundance.  

If you have leftovers then you have more than enough! You can go above and beyond what is required or necessary. You can achieve more. 

Consider this: Leftover money. 

Imagine what you could or would do with an abundance of money after you pay all of your bills. I bet that thought made you smile!

Now, imagine … what can you do with your personal leftovers? Your leftover self. 

Will you do something special with your family? Will you start or join a new program at church? Will you enjoy a new hobby or pursue a lifelong dream?

Work hard and then “gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”

When you utilize your abundance instead of letting it waste away, you are adding to your life and increasing the lives of those around you.

Start today and see how God can work through you and bless you, even with your leftovers.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”     Romans 8:28 (NIV)