The CCC&TSPM issued an initiative to Christians to eliminate food waste, following the instructions of President Xi Jinping, who issued a relevant directive last August.
On September 28, theCCC & TSPM (China Christian Council & Three-Self Patriotic Movement)encouraged the Protestant community to not waste food.
The initiative first recognizes that wasting food is shameful and saving is more honorable. People should become more conscious of the need to not waste food and encourage the healthy and thrifty consumption of food for all of society.
The church bodies are also asking that believers are diligent and dedicated in their witness for the Lord. The CCC&TSPM said that diligence was a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation, and a biblical teaching as Proverbs 10:4 says, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth”. Also in Romans 12:11:“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
The proposal also makes the point that a clean plate was a sign of good economy. After the Lord Jesus performed the miracle of feeding five thousand people, he said to his disciples: "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” (John 6:12) What the Lord said to the disciples at that time, was also a command and instruction for Christians today.
It adds, "We must consciously develop the habits of hard work and simplicity, and be earnest about getting rid of bad habits such as ostentation, extravagance, and comparison."
The last point is to eliminate waste and be a good steward for God because God has first given his blessings to his people in creation. As a Christian, one should consciously save a grain of rice, a drop of water, and a kilowatt-hour of electricity.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
