Resourcefulness vs. Wastefulness "Finding practical uses for that which others would overlook or discard"     RESOURCEFULNESS- A Five-Minute Study Faith Committee, Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Contributed by Craig E. Beckley Teacher, Moores Hill, Indiana November 25, 2001 RESOURCEFULNESS vs. Wastefulness Finding practical uses for that which others would overlook or discard. BIBLICAL THEME - God is the ultimate Source …Do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them. (Numbers 14:9 NIV) Moses had brought the Israelites out of Egypt and onto the journey to return to the Promised Land. As they neared, twelve spies were sent on a mission to see what the land was like, and how defended it might be. As these six groups of two went in, they were impressed with the fertility and resources that they found. It took two men to carry one cluster of grapes and there were figs and pomegranates besides. Ten of the spies were more impressed with the challenges of the new land, the size of the people and their defenses. They declared that there were fierce tribes and that it would be foolhardy to attempt to conquer this land. However, there were two spies that brought back a different report, Joshua and Caleb. Their report did not deny the giants or walled cities, but they declared that God was on their side and they were more than able to conquer the land that God had promised them. What resources did Joshua and Caleb plan to use to accomplish their goal? Only one resource was needed, the one that they had seen Moses use over and over again. Reliance on God; He would provide. How had they crossed the Red Sea? How had they found water in the wilderness? How had they been fed? How had they found meat when they so desperately needed it? God provided the resources that were needed. Joshua and Caleb, Moses, and even Abraham were all very resourceful men. They were all men of sound mind and intellect. However, they all knew they needed to access a resourcefulness far greater than their own. God made them some of the most resourceful men that ever lived. They accomplished things that no one else could, because they relied on God. RESOURCEFULNESS IN OUR LIVES - What challenges are you facing in your life right now? Can you be content to have only yourself as your resource, or are you willing to look outside of yourself to a resourcefulness that you can not conceive of? You need to leave the door open for God to provide, using things that you may have already discounted. Truly resourceful people find that resourcefulness does not always come from within, but often from above. Here are five "I will" principles whose practice will help us incorporate the character quality of resourcefulness into our lives (write these on a poster, board, or overhead transparency) I will see value in objects, ideas and people. I will repair, reuse, and recycle. I will make wise use of my time, talents, energy, and mind I will give away or sell the things I do not use. I will not litter. Closing #1: Let's dialog about it with one another. Shift the group into small discussion groups of 3-4. Encourage groups to list the hindrances in their own lives to practicing resourcefulness. Ask groups to share their feelings with the whole group. Closing #2: Let's close in silent prayer, ask God: To forgive you for not always being a good steward of the resources He has provided. To show you how to practice resourcefulness in your life. To make you aware of opportunities to grow in this character quality. This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.