Why This Waste?
What you give to Christ equals the measure of His worth in your eyes. The worth of Jesus is immeasurable. It cannot be calculated. And nothing is too valuable for Him. Mary understood this.
Aware of the criticism that was leveled against her, Jesus said, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.”
The Lord was simply saying, “I am worth far more than the value of this perfume. The poor will always be present, and you can help them whenever you desire. But you will not always have Me with you in the flesh.”
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
What is waste? It is giving more than necessary. Waste is when you give a diamond to a dog. It is when you give something valuable to that which is inferior in worth. When something of value could be better spent elsewhere, we call it waste.
What Judas and the others were really saying was “The Lord isn’t worth it.”
Mark it down. Whenever you give that which is most valuable in your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, some of your fellow Christians will consider it to be waste.
“Why aren’t you going to college to prepare for a career?”
“Why are you wasting your youth?”
“Why did you break up with that person? They had a great job, and you could have had a wonderful future with them. You forfeited that relationship just because they weren’t as ‘religious’ as you are. Why are you wasting your future?”
“Why did you sell your house and move to a smaller house simply to get involved with that ministry? Why are you wasting your money?”
“Why did you quit your job and relocate to be involved with that church? You now have a lower-paying job. Why are you wasting your life?”
“Why did you use your stock dividends for that work of God? Why are you wasting your savings?”
Whenever you hear the complaint, “Why this waste?” examine it carefully and consider whether you’re hearing the gospel of Judas or not.
