Tag: give to the poor
Costly anointing oil
Scripture reading for February 27: Mark 14
“It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest Him by stealth and kill him, for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people. And while He was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over His head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her.” Mark 14:1-5
When we look at everything through the lens of profit, we don’t see as Jesus sees. Some of the disciples, Judas in particular, saw the woman pouring expensive anointing oil on Jesus. They deemed this a waste of potential profit to help the poor as it was worth a year’s wages. It seemed like a noble and godly way to look at things, since God does commend His people in caring for the poor. (Proverbs 14:31) But Judas, as treasurer of the disciples, had hidden motives as he had been taking from the treasury for himself. (John 12:5-6) We also note that Judas left after this incident and agreed with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. His greed cost him and led to his own destruction.
Jesus viewed this act of worship by the woman as an honor. He said that she did that to prepare His body for burial, again telling them of His coming death. Jesus promised the disciples that wherever the Gospel was preached, this act of kindness would be remembered. That’s why it was written into God’s Word for us today and for all who will hear and believe. Our worship of Jesus through giving is honoring of Jesus and He takes note and rewards eternally!
As you consider this story, how would you judge this woman pouring out a year’s wages on Jesus? What do you think she was thinking as she made this offering? What change in your world view is Jesus calling you to with this story?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for my stingy eye when what I view as wasteful is really extravagant worship. Help me to see clearly what is of real value and worth in this world. May my worship be extravagant like this woman’s and pleasing to You. Amen.
Treasure in heaven!
Scripture reading for March 19: Luke 12, Psalm 56, Proverbs 25
Key Scriptures: Luke 12:32-34 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
Jesus, calling His disciples, ‘little flock’, instructed them in the amazing grace and provision of God, His Father. The Father delighted to give His Son’s followers the kingdom of heaven. It was a gift of His mercy and grace. Jesus told them that an appropriate faith response to this great gift would be to give away what they had here to the poor and needy. This demonstration of faith would open up to them the permanent treasury in heaven. They would find all their needs met in Christ Jesus and His amazing kingdom!
Faith Confession: Jesus, thank You for including me in Your flock! Help me to be generous with what You have blessed me with here so that I will have true riches in You in heaven. You are my Treasure in heaven.
Psalm 56:13 “For You have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of Life.”
Turning loose is hard!
Scripture reading for March 1st: Mark 10:13-31, Psalms 44:8-26, Proverbs 10:20-21
The world and it’s goods have a powerful pull on us. Having things and money bring security that we can control and can use to provide for our needs. But sometimes our grip on material things keeps us from experiencing the best that God wants to give us as we walk by faith in His provision!
Mark records the story of a man who came running to Jesus and fell on his knees to inquire of Him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'” (Mark 10:17b-19) Jesus pointed the man to his need to keep God’s commandments. This man felt that he had kept these commandments.
Mark records that Jesus looked at the man and loved him. Out of His love, He told the man one more thing that he lacked. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Mark 10:21-22) Jesus put His finger on the idol in this man’s life. His great wealth was hard to turn loose from. It would mean losing his security and ability to live life as he pleased. He would have to trust God to help him. This proved to be too much to let go of for this man.
Jesus went on to comment on this man and others like him. It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom. The disciples were amazed and wondered if anyone could be saved if this was the requirement. Jesus assured them that with God all things were possible! “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields–and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10: 29-30) You can’t out-give God! He pays very well– if you turn loose!