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 David and Christine Palmer Ph.D Candidates at Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, Ohio December 15, 2001 RESOURCEFULNESS Increasing assets by seeing value in what others overlook or discard. BIBLICAL MODEL – THE GOD OF ALL RESOURCES Resourcefulness is about recognizing potential. Potential is all the possibilities that a single life can contain, even when things seem impossible. Throughout the Bible, God continually shows us the value, the resources inherent in a human life, by his creative and saving power. In the book of Genesis, God begins to populate the entire world with just one person. A single life indeed has astounding potential. According to Jewish tradition, God created Adam alone in order to show the potential of a human life. The Mishnah states that “he who destroys a single human life, destroys a whole world. He who saves a human life, saves an entire world.” Each and every human life is full of potential. When God saved Israel out of Egypt, He again saw tremendous potential. He took a group of people drawn from the lowest levels of society and made them a blessing to the entire world. On the surface, Israel seemed to be the smallest and most insignificant group within the most powerful nation of its time. However, God saw beneath their obscurity to their potential for greatness. Resourcefulness is about recognizing potential. For the Christian, Jesus provides us with a moving example of resourcefulness at work. Who could have imagined that the most important, most influential, and most approved human life ever lived would involve taking the form of obscurity and apparent insignificance? In Psalm 118:22-3, the Psalmist tells us that “the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. Moreover, this is the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.” God shows us in the person of Jesus that one who appears worthless has inestimable value and significance. The example of Jesus shows us God’s vision for the character quality of resourcefulness. Resourcefulness means recognizing potential in every person and situation which we encounter. RESOURCEFULNESS IN OUR LIVES -- Some practical evidences of resourcefulness in our lives are seen in the following "I will" statements: I will see value in objects, ideas, and people that I may be tempted to reject. I will repair, reuse, and recycle. I will make wise use of my time. I will give away or sell the things I do not use. I will not litter. Divide into pairs and discuss: How does the creation of Adam alone display God’s resourcefulness? How does the life, death and resurrection of Jesus display God’s vision for resourcefulness? Who are people that you are tempted to reject and yet are full of potential? In what ways do you tend to routinely waste time in your life? RESOURCEFULNESS IN MY LIFE THIS WEEK-- Spend a few minutes in personal reflection with God: Ask God for forgiveness where you have rejected someone or something unnecessarily or unwisely. Ask God to give you the courage to see the potential in all things. Invite God to show you by his Holy Spirit how you can be more resourceful this week in (a) encouraging the potential in one person, and (b) using your time more wisely. Ask a trusted friend to help you implement (a) and (b) this week. This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.