John 12:1-11
1Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6(He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” 9When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
___________________________________
Ok, I must admit that this story occasionally has come to mind at those times when I find myself to be a reluctant giver. Mary (sister of Lazarus) has just used some extravagantly expensive perfumed oil (roughly worth a year’s wages) to rub on Jesus’ feet; she was then roundly chastised by Judas who suggested it should be sold and the money given to the poor. I could infer that Jesus’ response in verse 8 means: “Why care about the poor? Your money won’t help much. They will always be there.”
Is that what Jesus was saying? I don’t think so. First of all, he knew Judas was a thief who would likely sell the oil, maybe give a small amount to the poor to make himself look good, and pocket the rest. Jesus was fully aware of Judas’ character and the insincerity of his comment. Did Jesus care about the poor? Of course he did! Jesus repeatedly demonstrated this throughout the Gospel as he feeds the poor, ministers to prostitutes, heals the blind, the lame and the lepers. However, at this moment, he recognized the meaningfulness of Mary’s pure act of selfless devotion, using this costly oil to anoint Jesus’ feet, without caring about how it might appear to others.
As I ponder this story, there is no way I can use it to justify being a tightwad when opportunities arise to help those less fortunate. Of course the need will aways exist, but hopefully, I will genuinely be willing to give without hesitation. However, when moments arise where there is an opportunity to deepen my relationship with Christ, then perhaps I should set worldly needs aside for the moment and allow spiritual growth to take precedence. In the long run, I’m guessing that acts of charity and growth in Christ will often not be mutually exclusive, but rather will be one and the same.
Prayer: Lord, please help me to be mindful and generous when needs of others arise while also helping me to be aware and seize upon those moments which will allow me to enter into a deeper and more personal relationship with you.
—Gene Cross