Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5979 waste The misuse and squandering of resources. God condemns the waste of resources which he provides, especially spiritual provisions such as grace and opportunity. Sometimes extravagance in God's service is mistaken for waste. Waste of material resources Squandering is folly Luke 15:13-16 See also Proverbs 21:20; Proverbs 29:3; Luke 16:1; James 5:1-6; 1 Peter 4:3-5 As a consequence of yielding to temptation Proverbs 29:3 See also Proverbs 5:7-14 Jesus Christ avoids waste Spiritual resources should not be wasted God's grace Jonah 2:8 See also John 12:35-36; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 4:9-11; Hebrews 10:26-29,35; 2 Peter 2:21 God-given abilities Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27 Opportunities for service Ephesians 5:16 See also John 9:4; Galatians 6:10; Colossians 4:5 Spiritual teaching Matthew 7:6 Spiritual teaching is wasted if inappropriate to the spiritual capacity of the hearers. See also Proverbs 9:7; Proverbs 23:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14 Examples of wasted lives Esau Esau lived for the pleasures of the moment and threw away his spiritual inheritance: Genesis 25:29-34; Hebrews 12:16 Samson Judges 16:18-21 Though Samson did retrieve something at the end of his life, his spiritual gift of supernatural strength was largely wasted through his indulgence in sexual immorality. King Saul 1 Samuel 16:21; 2 Samuel 1:17-27 Through natural strength and spiritual gifts Saul had the prospect of establishing a successful royal dynasty. The future was lost through disobedience and the end of his reign was wasted through jealousy. Judas Iscariot Matthew 27:3-5 Judas had the best of opportunities--three years with Jesus Christ. This was thrown away in a moment of personal ambition. Devotion to God is not waste Matthew 26:6-13 pp Mark 14:3-9 See also John 12:1-8 Waste as the destruction of life and land The frailty of human beings Job 13:28 See also Job 33:21; Psalm 32:3; Lamentations 4:9; 2 Corinthians 4:16 Waste as a result of the judgment of God Jeremiah 34:22 See also Leviticus 26:31-33,39; Numbers 5:21; Deuteronomy 28:22; Deuteronomy 29:23; Deuteronomy 32:24; Psalm 106:43; Isaiah 24:1,3; Ezekiel 4:17; Hosea 5:9 See also
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