WHY THIS WASTE?

“The disciples were indignant when they saw this. ‘What a waste!’ they said.” (Matthew 26:8)

I once heard the tongue-in-cheek story about a rich man who was determined to give his mother a birthday present that would outshine all others. He had read about a bird that had a vocabulary of 4000 words, could speak in numerous languages, and even sing three operatic arias. Locating such a bird, he immediately bought one for $50,000 and had it delivered to his mother. The next day he phoned her to see if she had received it. “What did you think of the bird?” he asked. She replied, “It was delicious.” Following your immediate response, your next thought might be . . . “What a waste?” A more revealing true fact is that during Thanksgiving each year, Americans will discard 35% — or several hundred million pounds — of edible turkey meat alone. While this holiday is a time to reflect on our many blessings, much of the bountiful food supply which fills our plates and bellies this season will eventually overflow into our landfills. It has been estimated that the amount of food wasted in the United States each year could feed hundreds of millions of hungry people. These staggering numbers have generated enough sensitivity to sponsor an annual ‘Food Waste Weekend’ nation-wide awareness campaign in the faith community.

In God’s Holy Word, there are numerous references to waste. In the Old Testament, we read that David was sheltered in a cave. Three of his “elite group of fighting men went down to meet him there. David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem. David remarked longingly to his men, ‘Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.’ So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the LORD. ‘The LORD forbid that I should drink this!’ he exclaimed. ‘This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.’ So David did not drink it” (2 Samuel 23:14-17).  It would have been easy to ask the question, “Why such waste?” However, it appears that no one questioned David’s actions; instead they were most likely inspired. For you see, the gift was too precious for any person to consume it. It belonged to God.

Contrast this passage with the story of the alabaster jar in the New Testament. In one account we see Jesus dining in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper when a woman enters the scene. She has brought a beautiful alabaster jar containing expensive perfume. She proceeds to break open the jar and pour the perfume on Jesus’ head.  Realizing the value of the perfume, “Some of those at the table were indignant. ‘Why waste such expensive perfume?’ they asked. ‘It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ So they scolded her harshly. But Jesus replied, ‘Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time.  I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed” (Mark 14:4-9). It was immediately after this event that one of His own becomes selfish: “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them” (Mark 14:10).

In today’s society, Judas might be referred to as a modern-day ‘whistleblower.’ If we are truly honest with ourselves, we will have to admit that there are times in which we each have our Judas’ moments.  We often turn from God’s purpose and waste time on what is more comfortable for us, but God will always do His best to call us back to Him. Oftentimes though, He will find us preoccupied by an investment in ‘more important’ activities. A recent study has shown that in a lifetime most individuals will spend over 40% of their time staring at some sort of screen, be it a smartphone, laptop, tablet or TV. Hopefully you are more like David recognizing that the gift of a life is just too precious to waste. As you spend more time giving to the Lord, you will encounter those who do not know or understand Him. They will dare to look at your acts and pass on judgement: “What a waste.” But others of us know better.

REFLECTION: Is your time well spent? In what ways are you using it to advance the cause of Christ? What would you say to someone who is critical of your relationship with Him as a ‘total waste of time’?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., NOVEMBER 30 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

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