How are the Leftovers?

Approximately 736 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the United States during Thanksgiving in 2015. How much did you eat? How much is left in the refrigerator? The leftovers seem to get better every time they are reheated—especially the dressing. Let’s examine the leftovers of life for a moment. 

BAD LEFTOVERS

Not all leftovers are good. In fact, sometimes leftovers just won’t do. That is certainly the case with what we give to the Lord. Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The kingdom (the church) is to be the priority of each life. We can’t be ok with giving God what’s leftover from the main events of our lives. Instead, God should be the main event.

Malachi 3:8 says, “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” Could we be robbing God by giving him our leftovers? Just the leftover time? Only leftover thinking? Only leftover giving? Only leftover serving? Surely, we know God deserves more.

GOOD LEFTOVERS

Some things, like the dressing, only get better with each reheating. So not all leftovers are bad. We all have some extra time to do great things. How many seconds, moments, or hours are wasted away in things which aren’t really all that profitable? How many minutes could we put to good use if only we carried a copy of the New Testament in our pocket or read the Bible on our phones while we are sitting in a waiting room, standing in line, or watching tv? Could we make a call to encourage someone while we are driving to work? Could we make a call to someone who hasn’t been to church in a while when we are driving home?

Lets find some leftovers and put them to good use. It will help us to be dedicated to the Lord more fully. Jesus is the perfect example of making the most of the day. Mark 1:35 records that, “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” We may need to get up early, or we may need to stay up late, but we must make time for God every day.

D. L. DeBord