Eating Scraps

For years I’ve heard people say they don’t eat leftovers for various reasons.  Personally, I feel food tastes better the second day.  It gives the seasoning more time to blend, especially holiday meals.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion about leftovers, but if you grew up dirt poor (as my family did) you didn’t put up much fuss about what was on the table.  We were fortunate to have had a tomato sandwich or pork and beans during the week, and a hot dog was a special treat on Fridays.  For Sunday dinner, my mom would cut up a whole chicken into a 15-piece, with the neck, back, wishbone, gizzard and liver all being a piece and the breasts cut in half.  The sides were mostly grown in my dad’s garden.  You name it, he grew it, and he shared with anyone.  Regardless of the meal, we cleaned our plate, or we had to skip the next seating.  And if we had leftovers, which was rare, we looked forward to eating them.  We didn’t mind eating scraps and neither did our Savior.

The book of Matthew 15:35-37 tells us, ” So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground.  Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd.  They all ate as much as they wanted.  Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food.”  Apparently, Jesus and the disciples didn’t mind eating leftovers, and anything good enough God, is good enough for me.  He performed the miracle of feeding 4000 men plus women and children, and his followers gathered leftovers for His ministry, travels, and probably hungry people along the way.  I sometimes wonder just how large the baskets were.  We see it happen again in John 6 where we read about the miracle of feeding 5000 men plus women and children.  Verses 12 and 13 say, “After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.”  So, they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people …”   I imagine they ate off those scraps for days maybe even longer, and supplied food to many who approached them.   Today, some complain about what’s on the table.  What about those in need?  We waste what we don’t want while others starve to death.  Did we notice in each miracle they ate as much as they wanted?

I am reminded of Philippians 4:10-13 where the Apostle Paul wrote, “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.  Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”  Paul learned contentment, and he was a wise, well-traveled and a trained soldier who was now full of Christ and the Holy Spirit.  However, most of the lost, lonely, and poor among us haven’t found this contentment yet.  They need to be fed by the ones who say they love the Lord.  That love should be the forefront of concern for them and our opportunities are endless.  Then maybe, just maybe, they too can rejoice greatly in the Lord.

In John 21, Jesus appeared to the disciples the third time after his resurrection while they were fishing in the sea of Galilee.  He fixed them breakfast – bread and fish again- and John 21:15-17 records, “After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”  “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”  “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.   Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”  “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”  “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.   A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”  Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”  Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”  We may say we love each other, but the bible tells us to show the truth by our actions (1 John 3:18).  So, let’s stop complaining about what is on our table, and instead, see that nothing is wasted.  Too many mouths would love to taste those scraps, the leftovers we discard daily, but are going unfed and hungry.   I like a good ole fish sandwich or some fish and grits, but I grew up eating what was put before me, even scraps during the hardest of times.  Hebrews 13:16 tell us, “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need.  These are the sacrifices that please God.”  Jesus said if we love Him to feed His lambs, take care of His sheep, and feed His sheep.  We need to show concern for our fellow man and show our love through truth in action, where everyone can eat as much as they want, before the scraps are picked up.