(An excerpt from Pastor’s Book, “How to Make Your Life Count for God”)
In all four gospel accounts it states that it was a woman who poured the ointment. I find this very interesting given the status of women at that time. Women living in biblical times usually did not have access to this much wealth. This woman had access to something very precious; she had access to a costly ointment that was worth up to at least one year’s wages. She had it at her disposal to give. This may have represented her entire life savings, yet she was willing to pour it out.
This expensive gift to Jesus caused religious people to become very angry. Their complaint was that giving this to Jesus was a waste. Once it was poured out it could never be retrieved. All monetary value was lost the moment she broke the container open and began to pour. But you cannot lose when you give to God. Let me remind you that you cannot put one penny in the offering plate or give one dollar to Jesus that does not have an eternal reward. Giving to Jesus is never a waste – never! If you give your money to the sports or entertainment industry no one thinks it is a waste. Yet they said giving this expensive gift to Jesus was a waste. The secular world would hear about this woman’s offering and say, “Yes, there is another preacher after money.” But, how did Jesus feel about this offering? Jesus did not say, “I am sorry lady, you are giving too much. That is far beyond the call of duty to give away one year’s wages.” No, Jesus said, “Why trouble ye the woman? For she hath wrought a good work upon me.”
We know we are really starting to give when our relatives and friends say that our offering is a waste. When you give something near and dear to you be prepared for people to misunderstand. This woman gave out of her thankfulness and she was not moved by what others said. I want to love God with all of my heart and please Him. In John 8:29 Jesus said, “… I do always those things that please Him,” and I want to do the same. Even to this day, I can get caught up in trying to please people. I have to remind myself you cannot please everybody. You have to do what pleases the Father. Obedience today is so very important.