What does the Bible say about wasting?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• John 6:12

  When they were filled, he said to his disciples, "Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost."

• John 6:12-14

  [12] When they were filled, he said to his disciples, "Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost." [13] So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten. [14] When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, "This is truly the prophet who comes into the world."

• Leviticus 19:9-10

  [9] "'When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. [10] You shall not glean your vineyard, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Yahweh your God.

• Matthew 25:14-30

  [14] "For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them. [15] To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. [16] Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. [17] In like manner he also who got the two gained another two. [18] But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money. [19] "Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. [20] He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.' [21] "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' [22] "He also who got the two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.' [23] "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' [24] "He also who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter. [25] I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.' [26] "But his lord answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn't sow, and gather where I didn't scatter. [27] You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. [28] Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. [29] For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who has not, even that which he has will be taken away. [30] Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

• Matthew 26:8

  But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?

• Proverbs 24:30-34

  [30] I went by the field of the sluggard, By the vineyard of the man void of understanding; [31] Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down. [32] Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: [33] A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; [34] So shall your poverty come as a robber, And your want as an armed man.

• Ephesians 5:16-17

  [16] redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore don't be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

• Colossians 3:23

  And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,

• Proverbs 20:13

  Don't love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

• Ephesians 4:28

  Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

Related topics

• wasting money
• wasting time