The Reason We Have And The Ones We Give

It was an injustice to the poor. It was a waste of resources. It was a selfish act of indulgence.

When a woman took a vial of costly perfume and dumps it on the feet of Jesus, Judas is indignant. As the odor fills the room so does his outrage. (John 12:3-4) The other disciples agree with him, “Why the waste”?(Matthew26:8)

It seems he has the moral high ground. How could you not care about the poor! If that was all that was said you might think he was right

But he wasn’t.

Jesus clearly dismisses these charges. What she did was appropriate for the time. Her good thing isn’t a slight to anyone but a sign of the love she had for her Lord. She shouldn’t be scolded she should be remembered. They would have a chance later to help the poor but they only had that moment to revere Him.

Many people make arguments like Judas. They get on a high horse to make a case that takes a good that others do and tries to twist it into a perceived slight to someone. It may sound noble but it isn’t. The noble-sounding reason isn’t the truth on the matter.

For Judas, this rant wasn’t out of his heartfelt concern for the poor but a manifestation of his own greed (John 12:6). Often you will find the same thing when others attack those that do good. Their outrage has very little to do with the reason they give and much more with the reason they hide.

Jesus warned us about those that dress in sheep clothes but are really hidden wolves (Matthew 7:12). Don’t just listen to what they say but examine what they do and why they do it. Their fruits will say a lot more than their words.

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