This is the 19th post as
I attempt to visit everything (pretty much!) Jesus said about money in the
gospels over 2 weeks. In order to do this I will be putting up around two posts
each day. This is coinciding with a 2-week preaching series that we are going
through at Community Church Putney- Jesus On Money.
‘While he was in Bethany,
reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an
alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar
and poured the perfume on his head.
Some of those present
were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could
have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.”
And they rebuked her harshly.
“Leave her alone,” said
Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The
poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.
But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on
my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the
gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told,
in memory of her.” (Mark 14:1-11)
The heart is very important; it is essential that we learn to give with
the right heart.
Imagine someone gives you a birthday present, but God allows you to hear
what they are thinking. You hear, “this should make you like me” or “I had to
really” or “this will make me feel better about myself”. You can see that the
motives for a gift are very important. God sees our hearts!
Mary of Bethany gave from a loving heart. How can we attain such a
heart?
- Salvation- becoming a Christian transforms the heart. If you are a Christian, the Spirit of the generous God lives in you! Keep in step with Him!
- Be a learner (disciple)- It says of Mary that she ‘sat at the Lord’s feet listening’ (Luke 10:38-42). If you want your heart to overflow with generosity, read scripture; sing good songs; listen to teaching; read good books… learn about Jesus.
- Gratitude- no doubt, along with many other things, Mary was grateful toward Jesus for raising Lazarus, her brother, from death (John 11:1-45). Thankfulness creates a generous heart in us.
Jesus on money says that, ‘She has
done a beautiful thing’; the Lord loves our generosity when it is from the
heart. He says of Mary that she ‘did what
she could’; wouldn't you love Him to say this over you! The key to being liberal in giving is to get a generous heart
and do what you can!
What can you do, what can you give? Do what you can!
Listen to the sermon on this text at: http://sermons.communitychurchputney.com/20150712_Matt_Beaney.mp3
Take a moment to ask God to search you:
How is your heart toward God, is your giving to Him as an overflow of worship?
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