Gather up the fragments that remain

In the story told in John 6 where Jesus fed 5000 by multiplying the 5 barley loaves, and 2 small fish. Jesus told his disciples in verse 12, "...Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." To waste food, clothing, or any resource is such tragedy. A New England Proverb goes like this, "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without". There is so much waste in life that can be avoided. In our lives we have many possessions that we aren't using that could be a huge blessing to someone who needs them. I have personally known several people who have several sizes of clothing in their closets. They keep them because they are sure that someday they will fit again, or because they gave a good deal of money for them, or just because they can. It is our choice how we deal with the abundance in our closets, wallets, or storage units. Perhaps we should look anew at what the Bible says about having 2 coats and seeing someone with none or seeing your brother have need and sending him away telling him that you will pray for him. Great blessings will be found in giving and sharing.