Squandered Resources

Written by cycleguy on February 4th, 2016

 

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This post is not about the environment or the government or any other “ment.”

I suspect most of us have heard stories like this somewhere along the line:

An old woman, known as “Garbage Mary,” lived in a small town in Florida. Every day she would be seen dressed in her rags, walking the streets, scavenging through garbage cans for food, which she hoarded in her car or in her tiny two-room apartment. She was a recluse with no friends, and while she scrounged cigarettes and ice cubes from anyone available, it was logical to assume she was an old woman losing her mind and on the verge of destitution.

She was picked up by police and confined in an institution. When some officials went to her apartment, they were amazed to find out there was money everywhere. Bank books, securities, oil-drilling rights, real estate documents, and cash, all which indicated she was worth more than 1 million dollars! They also indicated she was not an old woman but a 48 year old college graduate who had inherited a great deal of money when her father died in 1974.

Various reasons for her actions were given, but the tragedy remains that Garbage Mary is a story of squandered resources. She had “value” she didn’t even take advantage of.

In the OT there is a man who “lives” as one who squandered his resources. His name? Samson. And boy did he squander his resources!! Given the leadership of the people of Israel during the time of the judges, Samson had great potential. But he kept squandering it because he had a weakness. Chuck Swindoll called him “a he-man with a she-weakness.” That about sums it up.

This Sunday my sermon is on Samson. In keeping with the series theme of “Second Chance,” I am calling this “Second Chance after Falling.”

If you are like me, your weekends don’t give you much time to read or comment on blogs. I will read but very seldom comment. Because I believe people praying is so important, I have decided to move my weekend post to early Thursday instead of posting it late Thursday/early Friday. I hope it prompts you to pray for me and the church this weekend. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. Thanks ahead of time. 

 

17 Comments so far ↓

  1. TC Avey says:

    I love the story of Samson. There are so many lessons we can learn as we study his life and potential, along with God’s grace.

    You’ll be in my prayers.

    Have a great week.

  2. floyd says:

    It’s easy to read or hear the story of Samson and figure him as foolish. Foolish acts for sure, but like many of your readers who write, he was a hopeless romantic. He let emotions dictate his steps instead of character.

    Who can say that they don’t tend to have some of the same weaknesses? A good lesson and painful reminder for all of us of God’s grace and second chances… and last ones…

    Praying for you, Bill. God is with you, brother.

    • cycleguy says:

      As you know emotions can get us into trouble. Just like Samson. I know I struggle with the same type of weaknesses as him which need to come under the power of God for control. Thanks for your prayers, my friend.

  3. Great lesson to all of us – what good are the gifts God gives to us if we squander them instead of using them to His honor and glory?
    Will keep you in prayer, Bill!

  4. Betty Draper says:

    All through the Word, from beginning to end God puts the dirty laundry of His creation for all to see. Every character I study I see myself somewhere in that person. None except Jesus was perfect and He needed no second chance. I am studying the for Kings during some of Isaiah life and realized he had to have some the same bend toward pride for he was not perfect. He did believe God and knew what wickedness in himself and others to pen down the words in Isaiah 6:1-6. Isaiah knew the Lord and more he saw God, the clear he saw himself. Every time I read those scriptures I beg God to break me, humble me, use as He did Isaiah.

    • cycleguy says:

      James says we should not be like the one who looks into the mirror and then walks away. Reading the Word is to be the same way. Look, see, reflect, humble, change and be used. Good point Betty.

  5. Ed says:

    I can identify with Samson more than I can with David. Of course, David has money…. 🙂
    Praying for you always Bill!

  6. Jeff says:

    I don’t know why you stop at second chances. The theology really is about unlimited chances. Why not talk about the 47th chance God’s grace promises. Maybe it is just a better marketing tool to talk about second chances. And I would bet the lady had mental health issues which we really shouldn’t leverage to sell our goods.

    • cycleguy says:

      The story is incomplete as I told it hence the sentence “various reasons…” And it was considered mental illness brought on by two failed marriages as a contributing factor. But i do believe in a God who give unlimited chances. Second chance is a “figure of speech” to highlight that. Samson was certainly given more than 2 chances.

  7. That’s a powerful illustration, Bill. It’s blatant in this particular case, but we can squander what we’ve been given in much subtler ways. Praying for you and this weekend, my friend! Thanks.

    • cycleguy says:

      True Jason. We do squander what we have been given in subtle ways. The failure to use what we have been given is one of them. Thanks for coming by.

  8. Ceil says:

    Hi Bill! I have been preparing a talk, and part of it is about the theme of falling and rising. It’s such an interesting concept, and one you see all over the bible, and never more dramatically than with Samson. He had many chances to rise, he didn’t have to give into Delilah. What a price is paid when we can’t or don’t see our opportunities until it’s too late.
    How I can relate! Blessings and prayers always,
    Ceil

    • cycleguy says:

      Well said Ceil. it is tragic that Samson had to lose his hair, his eyes and his dignity before he “saw” God’s plan for him. Powerful lessons to learn. Hoping your talk goes well. Samson is way too close to home for me.

  9. Terry says:

    Wonderful sermon today Bill. I’ve read the story of Samson many times but you brought it out in a whole new understanding.