Waste/Wasteful

<<unwanted; inefficient>>

Waste refers to something considered of no further use or purpose, often rejected as worthless, such as the packaging accompanying the goods in today's consumer market. Wasteful relates to using something of value (time, effort and resources including money) in an extravagant, uneconomical manner, or discarding what is still useful.

There was a reaction to an event just prior to His crucifixion when an expensive perfume was poured over Jesus. It was considered by some as wasteful, thinking the money could have been spent in a better way, but Jesus implied this was because of the differing values (Jn 12:1-6). It contrasted the devotion and worship of the one who poured the ointment with the critical attitude and selfish motive of Judas who often helped himself to the disciples funds. We all have differing priorities and value systems and we must ensure that God is always in number one spot, not our self-focused ideas (Mk 12:30).

The parable of the Prodigal Son, squandering his wealth and becoming destitute, is a sad reflection of the potential of so many people who get into destructive substances and lifestyles; they do not act wisely, enabling them to accomplish something of lasting benefit and value with what they have been

Don't squander your life

given (Lk 15:11-16). We have only one opportunity at life on earth so endeavour to live it without regret knowing we will give account in heaven as to how we have used the various commodities we have been entrusted with (Rom 14:12). Reviewing your activities and budgeting (time, money and resources) in the various spheres of life helps to see what is not being used to good advantage, thus enabling the worthless to be eliminated and the worthwhile to be enhanced as we only have limited amounts of each.

The Bible counsels us to have nothing to do with the unproductive pleasures of evil, rather making the most of the every opportunity to live for Jesus (Eph 5:11,16; Col 4:5). Paul expressed it as everything in his past that was not of God was a waste and now was determined to reach the goal God had for him (Phil 3:7,14). Is that my objective too?