John 6:12

Gather up the fragments— Though Jesus was entirely free from worldly cares, and from all anxiety about futurity, he did not think it unworthy of him, on this occasion, to order his disciples to take care of the broken pieces of meat left by the multitude. The reason mentioned by him for their doing so, namely, that nothing might be lost, deserves our notice: for it shews us, that he to whom the earth and the fulness thereof belong, willeth every man to take due care of all the goods he possesses; and that if he wastes any thing by carelessness or profusion, he is guilty of sin; namely, the sin of despising the creatures of God, which by so admirable a contrivance as the frame of the world, God hath produced for his use. Wherefore, as by feeding so many, Jesus hath set us an example of liberality; so by taking care of the fragments, he hath taught us frugality; and by joining the two together, he has shewn us that charity and frugality ought always to go hand in hand; and that there is great difference between the truly liberal and the lavish man.