July 14

Gather up the Fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.—John 6:12.

How surprising must it have been to the multitude, that after five thousand had been fed, from five loaves and two fishes, that any thing should remain, when they all had eaten and were filled. Yet so it was, that after they had all been amply supplied, that twelve baskets of fragments were gathered, a quantity many fold more, than what they had at first to supply the people. Herein we perceive, that the blessing of God can make a small amount meet any extent of exigencies in his creatures. But Christ also hath taught us in the gathering of these fragments, the necessity of strict frugality. Why be so frugal, you ask, when the provision was so wonderfully provided, and so superabundant? Because God is the Author of plenty, but not the patron of extravagance and waste. He wishes his mercies to be used and enjoyed, and not squandered and lost. Whatever divine wisdom and power have been exerted to produce, ought to be rightly appropriated, and is surely worthy of our thankful reception. What is extravagantly wasted, would go far to meet all the wants of the distressed poor. Thus our means of liberality would be extended, and we should be enabled to enjoy more of the sweetest of all luxuries, that of resembling the God of benevolence, and enjoying the ecstatic and divine pleasure of doing good. We should be frugal, because we are only stewards, and not the proprietors of what we possess. And what a fearful account will those have to render to God, who have wasted the blessings imparted to their care, while they have been surrounded by so many fit objects of compassion and mercy. Above all remember, that Christ who could have filled the desert with the bread of heaven, as he did to the thousands of Israel, would not allow a fragment of it to be wasted, but employed his rightful authority and said, "Gather up the fragments, that none of them be lost." He is both our example and Lord, let us therefore feel how necessary it is to christian consistency, that we follow his steps.