And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?"
-- Matthew 26:8
How can we compare what is wasted for God's kingdom with what is invested in our own?
Maybe a better, and more personally revealing question; why do we compare? (I should note: having preached a couple thousand sermons, and now writing, I always did, do, and must, first ask such questions to the mirror.)
In reality we probably don't stop too long or think too hard on these questions. It is easy and natural to invest in ourselves. I'm not referring here to taking care of ourselves, our families, our finances, our futures, etc. It is a good thing - a biblical thing - to invest in ourselves and others in such ways. No, what I am referring to here is a mindset - a focus that becomes a fixation - on building our own little kingdoms. I am speaking of investing in what is selfish and temporary; that which gratifies, but does not last or satisfy.
Days before Jesus' betrayal and arrest a wayward woman came into the house where he and his group were eating. She did the unthinkable by breaking open an expensive flask of perfumed ointment (valued at a year's salary), and proceeded to pour it all over Jesus' feet.
Jesus saw a sacrificial kingdom investment in the woman's action. The disciples saw waste. Needless to say the latter missed the point. It is easy, by the way, to armchair quarterback and point out the (apparent) failures of others. Usually in doing so, we are more exposing our own. Who knows if the woman knew the full significance of what she was doing; its prophetic foreshadowing. What is clear is that she had a small treasure and lavishly "wasted" it on One who was more her treasure. There was no moderation. There were no second thoughts.
Today each of us will invest somewhere. Some investments have lasting impact. Some simply dissipate like wispy smoke. Often that which initially appears as waste turns out to be the true kingdom investment.
God, our kingdoms have rickety little cardboard thrones. And seated firmly on them, we wear handmade paper crowns. Remind me that paper burns easily and quickly; that when the fires of life come, handmade crowns and thrones fizzle into smoky ash.
For now...
D
Days before Jesus' betrayal and arrest a wayward woman came into the house where he and his group were eating. She did the unthinkable by breaking open an expensive flask of perfumed ointment (valued at a year's salary), and proceeded to pour it all over Jesus' feet.
Jesus saw a sacrificial kingdom investment in the woman's action. The disciples saw waste. Needless to say the latter missed the point. It is easy, by the way, to armchair quarterback and point out the (apparent) failures of others. Usually in doing so, we are more exposing our own. Who knows if the woman knew the full significance of what she was doing; its prophetic foreshadowing. What is clear is that she had a small treasure and lavishly "wasted" it on One who was more her treasure. There was no moderation. There were no second thoughts.
Today each of us will invest somewhere. Some investments have lasting impact. Some simply dissipate like wispy smoke. Often that which initially appears as waste turns out to be the true kingdom investment.
Jesus put it this way:
Seek first the Kingdom of God... and all these (other) things will be added to you.
--Matthew 6:33
From one stumbler to another, I struggle with my seeking... my investing.
God, our kingdoms have rickety little cardboard thrones. And seated firmly on them, we wear handmade paper crowns. Remind me that paper burns easily and quickly; that when the fires of life come, handmade crowns and thrones fizzle into smoky ash.
For now...
D
