IS GOD FRUGAL?

What do you think? Is God frugal? I think He is! Let’s look at John 6:10-13:
Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost”. Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

Did you catch it? Jesus had His disciples pick up the leftovers! Our God, who has cattle on a thousand hills, saved the leftovers! Why? Obviously he could make a ton of fish and loaves anytime He wanted to. This story is mentioned in all 4 gospels – Mark 6:41-44, Matthew 14:18-21 and Luke 9:14-17 – which is known as the feeding of the 5000.

The Amplified version of the Bible puts John 6:12 this way: When they had all had enough, He said to His disciples, gather up now the fragments (broken pieces that are left over), so that nothing may be lost and wasted. The NIV says this: When they had all had enough to eat, He said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”

Now, I am no Bible scholar, but I think Jesus is making a point here. We need to be good stewards even when the stuff is free.

We never read in the Bible – or at least I haven’t seen it, where Jesus is frivolous – just throwing money around. He could have been – He had the ability. But, He took a coin out of a fish’s mouth to pay His taxes. He could just as easily have gotten a bucket of coins. He only took what was needed – no more, no less. When He multiplied the loaves and the fishes, I wondered why He didn’t make just enough. Why did He allow for leftovers? This is one small verse and yet it is powerful. When it came to blessing the people, Jesus gave them an abundance. When it came to Himself, He only took what was needed. Jesus isn’t cheap with His children. He is not a tightwad. But He is frugal and He shows us that even in times of abundance, we need to be good stewards with ALL that He has given us – even the extras! Don’t waste it just because it didn’t cost you anything. When I make dinner and there are leftovers – enough to eat for lunch – I feel like I’ve just gotten a free lunch. If I throw away the leftovers, I am being wasteful. So, the next time your kids won’t eat leftovers tell them that it is in the Bible!

Now, I am sure that you all have heard it said, that when the Bible mentions something more than once, we should pay attention. I have already mentioned that the feeding of the 5,000 is in all 4 gospels. There is also another story – the feeding of the 4,000. Matthew 15:35-37 says:
So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. Now those who ate were 4,000 men, besides women and children.

This is not the same miracle as the feeding of the 5000, even though many things are similar. This section mentions a different place where they were, a different amount of time that had been spent with Jesus, a different number of people and a different amount of food left over. Plus, Jesus said it was 2 different events in Matthew 16:9-10 which says: Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the 5,000 and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the 4,000 and how many large baskets you took up? This is also recorded in Mark 8:1-9. Jesus performed the same miracle twice – it’s like He knew we wouldn’t get it the first time.

One last scripture and that is Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus. How much is all? Is it some things some of the time or most things most of the time? I think it means ALL things, ALL the time. Being a good steward is a lifestyle, not just a once in a while event. Start today. Choose to be a good steward of all that God has given you.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.