You’ll know a wise man by what he spends his money on.
Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly. But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you… but you will not always have me.” (Mark 14.4-5)
A gift to God will often look extravagant, even careless. In this case, it was everything. In this way, church leaders often prioritize offerings to Jesus in different ministries or outreaches. They do it without guarantee of a controlled outcome or result. This is called faith.
Perhaps the greatest faith can be found in what we do with our money.
But sometimes you’ll find those who hold the purse strings don’t understand giving to God because they want the offering to look like the world’s success. Results coming in. Budgets tightly balanced. Outliers controlled. The natural man appeased.
Always put Jesus first, even if it means it must be extravagantly.
Never hold what you have so long that it can’t be given to God at a moment’s notice. For no other guarantee than to pour beauty over his feet.
About John-Peter Demsick
