When Jesus had fed five thousand men, besides women and children, with five loaves and two small fishes, and they had all eaten till they were satisfied, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." (John 6:12)
Here was more than an ordinary lesson in economy. It is doubtful if anyone would have thought of saving the remnants of that dinner, if Jesus had not spoken of it. If any thought were given to it, it would naturally have been on this wise: "There is no use in bothering with these little fragments, when we have one with us who can miraculously supply us with abundance."
But Jesus in this has shown us that while He supplies our need, He does not pledge himself to supply our extravagance. We must show our appreciation of His bountiful gifts, by not squandering them.
The men who saw how easily Jesus had provided food for the multitude, at once resolved to take Him and make Him their king. Here was such a king as they desired,--one who could assure them a living. They felt sure that they would never be troubled with a scarcity of provisions, with Him for their king, no matter whether the season was good or bad.
A good living, without any work, has been the desire of certain classes, even till this day. People will readily profess faith in Christ, when they are led to believe that Christianity consists in being supported without any effort on their part.
But Jesus frustrated their designs, by taking himself out of their way. They had entirely mistaken His mission. When they found Him the next day on the other side of the sea, He reproved them for seeking Him because of the loaves and fishes. He wished to be followed for His own sake, for the rich spiritual blessings that He could bestow, and not for merely temporal supplies.
There are many today who are making the same mistake about Jesus that the Jews of old made. Even Christian ministers are falling in with the idea, and are causing the people to believe that Christianity means short hours and long wages. They are trying to catch the masses with the promise of abundance of loaves and fishes.
By such inducements they are only preparing the people for a bitter disappointment, and for rejecting Christ as fiercely as the Jews did when they found out that He would not serve their selfish ends.
It is true that Jesus has promised that all needful things shall be given to us, but the first thing is to seek the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. He does not promise wealth nor even comfort in this life. It is enough that the disciple be as his Lord, and He had not on earth a place of His own whereon to lay His head. With power to feed others, He was dependent on the kindness of friends for His own daily food.
The reproach of the Jews, as He hung on the cross, was true: "He saved others; himself He cannot save." (Matthew 27:42)
He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to them that love Him?" (James 2:5)
The portion of Christ's followers is in this life poverty of worldly goods, and the riches of His grace; but in the world to come they will have possessions far beyond the utmost stretch of human and imagination. "He that overcomes shall inherit all things." (Revelation 21:7)--Present Truth, June 7, 1894--Original title: Front Page--Timeline: IV-38 (Feeding the Five Thousand)--John 6:12.