What to do with a Year’s Wages

What to do with a year’s wages

I am broke.

Ok… not broke broke. But definitely not living the life of having adequate savings.

Last night I read in Mark 14:3-6 the story of the woman that poured perfume on Christ’s head and this morning I listened to a podcast which asked us what would we do with a Year’s wages. That got me thinking…

What would I do with a year’s wage?

Let’s dig a little deeper into that.

The same story can be found in Matthew 26:6-13 which is very similar to Mark’s version and then John 12:1-8 which I will refer to today:

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then 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. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.””

 

Insight

Reading this version of the gospel story provided much more insight for me and clarification.

How happy Mary must have been to see Jesus. In the previous Chapter (John 11), her brother had died and Jesus raised him from the dead. In her adoration and praise for Jesus, she took perfume that was worth one full year’s wages and poured it over his head (as noted in Matthew and Mark)… noting John’s reference of over his feet, she must have kept on pouring that perfume so that it covered him whole. After all, the Word says that “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume”.

Wow!

How many of us would have done this? Truly… think on how much you make in one year… would you give one year’s salary to God?

You may be quick to say “Yes”… but do you tithe? And if you do tithe, do you give more than the 10%?

Some of the disciples were unimpressed at what she had done. Obviously, those disciples had a hard time in understanding why someone would give a full year’s wage… they saw it as a waste. Even after spending 3 years with the Savior and seeing HIS miracles and selflessness.

Reflection

Food for thought: Would you or I have been a part of that group that saw her sacrifice as a waste? Take some time to truly reflect on your response.

Prayer: Elohim, Creator of all, my heart is full and heavy with the weight of the words read. I am not sure if I would have been supportive of Mary’s decision. Forgive me. Create in me a clean heart Lord to sacrifice my all to you. Nothing that I have is mine, but it is what you have so graciously blessed me with. May all that I am and all that you have given me be used for the glory of God and your Kingdom. In Jesus name. Amen