Do Not Waste the Oil
And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.”
Revelation 6:6 (NLT)
This verse, in the middle of a passage about judgment and scarcity, contains a powerful phrase: “don’t waste the olive oil and wine.” Spiritually, the oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the wine represents joy, one of the fruits of the Spirit. Both are sacred gifts that should not be taken lightly or used for personal purposes. The warning is clear: in times of crisis, need, or pressure, guard the most valuable things you have received from God. Anointing and joy are not for entertainment or for impressing others—they are for building up and glorifying Christ.
- The anointing is for the benefit of the church
The anointing is not for us to be admired or followed; it is to serve the body of Christ. We must not withhold what God has given us, but we also must not use it to seek attention or status. - Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and must be protected
Wine symbolizes joy. The enemy will try to steal our joy because he knows that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Guarding spiritual wine means choosing to maintain an attitude of gratitude, faith, and praise—even in difficult times. - I must steward well what God has entrusted to me
Wasting the oil means neglecting or misusing the anointing. It means ignoring the purpose for which God gave it to us. Being anointed is not a license to do whatever I want, but a responsibility to walk in humility and the fear of God. - I must not lay hands hastily
As 1 Timothy 5:22 teaches, we must have discernment before empowering or raising up leaders. The anointing should be imparted to those who are faithful, mature, and committed—not to anyone who merely appears to be ready. - The anointing is not personal attraction—it is divine presence
Many anointed ministers have confused the attraction people felt toward them. It was not because of their charisma—it was because of God’s presence in them. Failing to discern this, they fell into sin and “wasted the oil.” The result was pain, loss, and shame for them and for the church.
And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.”
Revelation 6:6 (NLT)
Think About It:
• Am I valuing and guarding the anointing and joy of the Holy Spirit in my life?
• Am I using the gifts God gave me to build up His church or to seek recognition?
• Who should I anoint, empower, or invest in during this season with wisdom and discernment?