The Paradox: A waste that is not waste
a. Expensive Perfume for Christ
b. Destruction of Pigs to liberate a human person
Introduction
Last week’s post examined the principle of stewardship, arguing that we are simply managers and caretakers of creation who must make account of our stewardship on the last day. Today’s post examines a Christ-centred theology on avoiding waste.
A Christ-centred theology of avoiding waste is founded on the person, life, and mission of Christ. Since Jesus’ mission is holistic salvation, nothing that promotes life and advances it is disposable. Hence, throughout Christ’s mission, nothing—food, time, people, suffering, talent, intelligence—was insignificant in his life and mission.
Food and other instances
The main biblical reference to avoiding waste concerns food, and this occurred after Jesus multiplied five barley loaves and two fish to feed about five thousand. At the end, Jesus told his disciples: “Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost” (John 6:12). They gathered twelve baskets full of fragments.
The parable of the talents discussed last week under stewardship is also instructive in discussing waste. By burying his talent in the ground and not investing it as others did, the third servant wasted time, talent, and intelligence that could have been used to yield profit as other servants did.
Another instance of time-wasting occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane, when the disciples slept while Christ prayed. On his return, Jesus asked Peter why they could not keep watch with him even for one hour. He then told them to watch and pray that they may not enter into temptation, for the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak (Matt 26:40-41).
Jesus’ passion and death on the cross brought us salvation, thereby showing that suffering and pain should not be wasted. He ensured that all those entrusted to him were not lost (John 6:39; cf. John 10:28; 17:12; 18:9).
Waste as a Failure of Love
Jesus emphasised that love is the greatest commandment (Matt 22:37-40). Since Jesus’ salvific mission is based on love (John 3:16-17), there is a relationship between love and waste because one who wastes falls short of love. Waste is connected to love because when one wastes food while others are hungry, it shows one withheld love for the other. When one wastes time that should help others in their journey toward holistic salvation, it shows that one withheld love to assist others in their vocation. When one wastes resources and exploits the earth, it shows a lack of love for God’s creation.
Hence, Christ consistently rejected the unnecessary accumulation of wealth driven by greed. When two brothers disputed over inheritance, Jesus said: “Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). He then went ahead to tell the parable of the Rich Fool who accumulated without purpose.
The Paradox: A waste that is not waste
There are two instances where Christ emphasises that what humans assume as waste is not waste – a paradox.
a. Expensive Perfume for Christ
The first is the story of Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and wiped them with her hair (John 12:1-8). Judas puts the valuation of the perfume at 300 denarii (equivalent to a year’s wage for a labourer).
First, the act happened after Lazarus had been raised from the dead. Gratitude is an intrinsic part of our relationship with God. Jesus even complained when only one of ten lepers came to thank him for cleansing them of leprosy. Hence, pouring expensive oil on Jesus’s feet was her way of showing gratitude to Christ for bringing his brother back to life. Second, it happened six days before the Passover, which was a great act of love in preparation for Christ’s passion and death. In his defence of Mary, Jesus said: “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial” (John 12:7).
The inevitable question is: Why spend so much on perfume? The answer is that they can afford it. First, they lived in a large home they owned, which was large enough to accommodate Jesus and his disciples. Martha did not complain about the money to feed thirteen people, but the stress of doing it alone. Second, they were able to afford a private tomb for Lazarus. Third, they were well regarded enough for many visitors from Jerusalem to come to console them at the death of Lazarus.
b. Destruction of Pigs to liberate a human person
The deliverance of the demoniac from a legion (6,000) of demons came at the cost of destroying about 2,000 pigs. This is a significant economic loss for the herd’s owners. However, Jesus’ action shows the infinite value of humanity, created in God’s image and likeness. Second, the demoniac was very violent, so much so that people could not pass that way. Jesus’ action was also salvific for the populace. (Matt 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39). More on this can be read on my website in Post 118 “Challenges to Jesus as model – destroying pigs (2 October 2023).”
Lessons
There are several lessons.
First, although Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish to create abundance, he still insisted that nothing be left to waste.
This means that even in abundance, Jesus demands preservation. Therefore, divine abundance does not justify economic waste.
The action of picking up the bread fragments is recycling. Although recycling has not yet advanced in Nigeria as in other countries, whatever can be recycled should be recycled. The Songhai integrated farming model is an example of recycling agricultural waste as manure for growing plants and feeding animals.
More importantly, we are to avoid waste by not accumulating what we do not need and by giving out things we have, but do not need to charity even before they completely lose their value. Here, one mentions that food spoils in some homes not because of bulk buying for economic convenience, but because of stinginess; yet, the next-door neighbour does not have enough to feed regularly.
Second, as the servants in the parable of talents invested their talents, time, and intelligence to yield profits, Jesus abhors idleness and improper use of these three in bettering the society in which we live, and ultimately, one’s journey of holiness.
Third, since Jesus’ passion and death on the cross brought us salvation, one should strive to use suffering and difficult moments as a springboard to improve one’s own life or to advise others on how to better themselves and avoid certain practices.
Fourth, Jesus was willing to forgo economic prosperity to save a demoniac and the populace tormented by that demonic bondage. Some sacrifices are necessary to save a people, even if they are not appreciated.
Fifth, the prodigal son’s squandering of resources is wasteful living; a spiritual disconnection from the instruction to avoid waste (cf. Luke 15:13). The third servant in the parable of the talents was condemned for sinful wastefulness. Hence, he was called “wicked and slothful”, while those who used their resources well without waste were described as ‘good and faithful’ (Matt 25:14-30). Therefore, we should strive to avoid using our time, talents, intelligence and resources for things that do not conform to Christ’s mission.
Sixth, Christ’s anointing with an expensive perfume shows that what might appear to be economic waste may have a theological value if it is grounded in love and directed towards Christ and humanity. What we give to the Church and to those in need helps promote Christ’s mission. No matter how much is spent, it can never be a waste because of the theological value.
May God continue to help us🙏🏾
K’ọdị🙋🏾♂️
