Mark 14:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

For Meditation

People always think that money is everything in this world. The general opinion has always been that money is the greatest need and the best gift to the poor. Nothing is further from the truth; for some things are more important than money. It’s sad that even Christians have fallen for this lie.

In John 12:4-6, Judas Iscariot objected to Mary’s expensive anointing of Jesus’ feet with pure nard for the same erroneous idea. He protested, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor” (5). Thankfully, the Holy Spirit has revealed Judas’ heart to us in John’s comment: “He did not say this because he cared for the poor” (6). How true this is for many people and organizations that champion the rights of the poor. Many have their own selfish motives and interests to serve.

Mary gave to the poor, but in a different way. She may not have known it, but she gave to the poor anyway. For, real poverty is not about deficiency in wealth. It is destitution of the soul – total depravity of the heart. By anointing Jesus out of gratitude, Jesus said Mary had prepared Him for His burial. In other words, Mary participated in His redemption agenda, and as a result, Jesus said she would be honored wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world (Mk. 14:8-9).

1. Do you remember Jesus’ proclamation at the beginning of His ministry? “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor” (Lk. 4:18).
2. If the good news is the death and resurrection of Jesus for our salvation, and Mary prepared Jesus for His burial by that act of profuse giving, did she not effectively give something better to the poor than money?
3. What better gift could there be for the poor than the salvation of the soul?
4. What honor could anyone give to Jesus than to participate in His redemption agenda?
5. Do you see how anything you do to honor Jesus – the testimony of your life, sharing of the good news, giving to outreach and missions, and your act of kindness – is the best gift to the poor? But sadly, how many people acknowledge their poverty?

I pray that as you give to meet the needs of the poor, you will realize that the best gift you can give them is the Good News.

So: May you have a heart for the poor and give them your best; but may you remember that the poorest of this world are those without Christ and give them Jesus, the best gift to the world.

Shalom