Read John 12:4-11. Circle the words that stands out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
Digging Deeper.
I’ve been in church meetings where the leaders wanted to buy a product at the lowest cost with the minimal requirements for the Church. It’s price over quality whether it comes to paint, vinyl chairs instead of padded chairs, projectors that are just good enough, or cheap carpets and flooring that start to wear out in just a couple of years.
When we give or buy things for our local church, are we really trying to save money for the Church or is that we don’t want to give more in the future? The intentions that we have is it about being a good steward or is it being selfish?
The text says this, “5 Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” Sounds spiritual doesn’t it. True, that Judas was a thief, but isn’t that how we really think? The church doesn’t need that good quality for the Lord’s work! Let’s find and buy the cheapest goods and services without thinking about what the Lord desires. Often, we believe our thoughts and plans, must be His thoughts and plans.
Do we buy the cheapest furniture for our own home? Do we buy the cheapest shoes for ourselves? Do we feed our children the cheapest food? If we don’t, then why do think that buying the cheapest things for the Lord shows our honor, loyalty, and love for Him?
Is it possible that strictly advocating for the purchase of the cheapest material for God that God’s people inadvertently perceive that we should do and give our least for the Lord? If God is worthy of our best, why do we offer Him the cheapest parts of our lives and the cheapest things to further His Kingdom? It should not be, in accordance to the Spirit’s wisdom and leading, let’s give Him our best.
-Kingston