Finding Your Financial PathSample

Give your best.

Mark, one of Jesus’ followers, told the story of a woman who broke a jar of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet. This wasn’t just any department store perfume. It was worth more than a year’s wages!

Jesus saw the extravagance of her gift and called it “a beautiful thing.” However, others in the room didn’t think her actions were beautiful. Bewildered, they complained that her perfume should have been sold so the money could be given to the poor.

When we take God at His word and give Him our best, people are going to think we’re crazy. When we save diligently then give that money away, people are going to think we’re crazy. The question we all have to answer is which voice we will listen to. Are we willing to follow the Bible’s commands and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, even if we might seem a little crazy?

Like the woman in Mark’s story, we don’t have to fear giving big because Jesus gives extravagantly for us. By dying on the cross for our sins, Jesus has already blessed us beyond all we could have asked or imagined. Why would we not feel the freedom to give generously in return?

Think About:
1. What’s the most extravagant gift you’ve ever received? How did you respond to such generosity?
2. The woman in Mark 14 is a great example of how gratitude leads to generosity. What are you thankful for today?
3. How can you give generously to someone today?

Pray:
Jesus, You have already given me the most extravagant gift. Your death on the cross paid a debt I could never pay. Thank You for giving generously to me, and help me to give generously to others.