From Heaven With Love

A Valuable Lesson in Ecology

After the multitude had been fed, there was an abundance of food left. But Jesus said, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” The lesson was twofold. Nothing is to be wasted. Let everything be gathered up that will relieve earth's hungry ones. And there should be the same carefulness in spiritual things. The people wanted their friends at home to share in the bread that Christ had blessed. So those who were at the feast were to give to others the bread that comes down from heaven, to satisfy the hunger of the soul. They were to repeat what they had learned of the wonderful things of God. Nothing was to be lost. HLv 246.3

The miracle of the loaves teaches dependence upon God. When Christ fed the 5000, food was not nigh at hand. Here He was, in the wilderness. But He knew that the large multitude would feel hungry and faint, for He was one with them in their need for food. They were far from home, and many were without means to purchase food. The providence of God had placed Jesus where He was; and He depended on His heavenly Father for the means to relieve the necessity. HLv 247.1

We too are to depend on God. We are not to plunge into difficulties and misuse the faculties God has given us. But when, after following His directions, we are brought into strait places, we are to seek help from Him who has infinite resources at His command. He will keep every soul that is brought into perplexity through trying to keep the way of the Lord. HLv 247.2