The Good LifeSýnishorn

At a dinner in Jesus’ honor about a week before He was killed, Jesus’ dear friend, Mary, demonstrated her love for Jesus in an extravagant way. “Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3). Judas Iscariot protested at such a lavish act—the money the perfume was worth could have been used to feed the poor. Mary’s act wasn’t “good” enough for Judas; he thought righteousness would look different, but it was a blessing to Jesus, who corrected Judas. Jesus meant so much to Mary. She sat at His feet, soaking up His teaching (Luke 10:39). And Jesus had raised her dear brother from the dead (John 11). Like Mary, we are to use what we have for God. We are bombarded with messages about how and what to do with what God has given us. There are a lot of different opinions and competing voices—a lot of Judas’, even, telling us what godliness looks like. But do what Mary did. When there is prompting in your heart, listen. Share. Give. God is showing you how to use what He has given you. God lives inside of you through His Spirit, and He will guide you. Your stewardship will be a blessing to you and Him.