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 Margaret Garner Senior Associate, Worldwide Discipleship Association, Fayetteville, GA October 16, 2001 RESOURCEFULNESS Finding practical uses for that which others would overlook or discard BIBLICAL EXAMPLE— JOSEPH Genesis 41: 46-57 Joseph played a significant role in God’s plan in the Old Testament. As a servant of the captain of the guard in Pharaoh’s court Joseph found favor with the Pharaoh by interpreting a dream he had. Joseph so impressed Pharaoh that he put him in charge of all of Egypt, and Joseph did the following: During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure. The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “go to Joseph and do what he tells you.” When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world. (Genesis 41: 47-49, 53-57) A less wise leader might have enjoyed the years of plenty by using the excess for pleasure and luxury. Instead, Joseph demonstrated his resourcefulness and made practical use of abundance in order to prepare for famine, and thus, he was able to meet needs of many. RESOURCEFULNESS IN OUR LIVES— Some practical evidences of resourcefulness we can see in our lives today are seen in the following “I will” statements: 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. Divide into pairs and discuss: What are some areas in which we can practice being resourceful? (Some possible answers: managing finances, shopping, household chores, care and use of automobile, giving) What are some practical ways we can be resourceful in our everyday lives? (Some possible answers: Regularly go through closets and other storage areas searching for items to be given away. Give to a community food bank. Fix broken items on the garage workbench. Stay current on any financial pledges made.) What are the benefits of being resourceful? (Some possible answers: please God with good stewardship, provide for the less fortunate, contribute to the beauty of God’s earth, set a good example) RESOURCEFULNESS IN MY LIFE THIS WEEK— Spend 3 minutes in personal reflection: Ask God to help you identify an area of your life in which you need to be resourceful. What hinders you from being resourceful in this area? Write a specific “resourcefulness” goal. (E.g. “I will go through the hall closet this weekend and give away items that are no longer used.”) Share the goal with a friend and ask for prayer. This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.