We would like to think that how we spend our money is completely up to us. We say, “It is my money and I will do with it as I please!” You might call this the North American individualistic approach to life.
We may feel that it is our money and we will do with it as we please – and, in fact, we may act that way but no matter how we (I) may feel about our (my) money or behave with our (my) money, it is not just us (me) and our (my) money!
Take me. I am married. The way I spend money affects Cyndi and our children. How I have spent and spend money affects the present and the future. If I spend money on addictions or impulsive purchases or spend more than I make or all that I make, my decisions not only affect my own economic stability but influence the people around me, beginning with our children and extending to the communities to which we belong—which includes the church.
One person who found himself in economic trouble said to me that his difficulties were related to a pattern of spending he had picked up from a parent. Just as his parent’s spending habits had compromised their family’s financial stability so his spending behaviour negatively affected his own family. The cycle continues. How he handles money will influence how his children handle money. What lessons are his children learning as they observe his behaviour?
For a moment, let’s look at the issue from a larger perspective. What would happen to the pornography business if everyone in the world stopped spending money on pornography? Take away the profit motivation and pornography would decline. With the decline of pornography would come the decrease in the sexual exploitation of women and children.
How we spend our money or don’t spend our money is a reflection of what we consider important or not important. It is also a reflection of our character, our commitments, our fears, our likes and dislikes. Collectively these commitments, character issues, fears and dislikes shape our world. So, in spite of what we may think about the issue of how we spend our money, it is more than just “me and my money.”
In the story of the anointing of Jesus, there are three main characters. There is Jesus. There is Mary. And there is Judas. Each person has an attitude towards money which is reflected either by their words or actions or, in some cases, both.
Mary is at the centre of the controversy. Jesus was in Bethany a few days before the Passover enjoying a meal prepared for him as a guest of honour. His disciples were at the meal as well as Lazarus, who Jesus had raised from the dead. Martha was one of the servers.
During the dining event, maybe near the end of the meal, Mary took a flask of pure nard, came over to Jesus and, in an act of devotion, poured the contents (about 11 oz.) on Jesus’ body. In order to harmonize the story with the other Gospel accounts, some suggest that Mary began by pouring some of the perfume on his head and ended pouring the rest on his feet. Then, kneeling down at his feet, she let down her hair and wiped his feet with her hair.
What Mary did was exotic. Her public act of devotion was over the top. The extravagance of her gift, the public display of kneeling at Jesus’ feet to wipe his feet with her hair stunned the people in the room. They wondered why Mary would act this way publically. I am sure many were saying, “Yes, we know Mary thinks Jesus is number one, but this shocking exhibition of intimacy is too much. Not only is it a waste of money but her actions were not in keeping with what is right and proper for public behaviour.”
Whatever inner reservation Mary may have had, it did not stop her from publically expressing her devotion to Jesus. From her perspective, he was worth all she could do for him. The equivalent of a year’s salary that it took to buy the perfume was not too much for Jesus. Her act of humility was nothing compared to her love and devotion for Jesus.
To her critics, Mary might have said she had experienced forgiveness and acceptance from Jesus in a way she had never known before. His teachings were authentic and clear. He had helped her clearly understand God’s truths. Besides had Jesus not just raised her brother from the dead? How much was the restored life of her brother worth? For Mary, Jesus was a man connected to God in a way she never dreamed possible.
For some, expensive gifts are a way of saying “I am sorry for the way I behaved the other night. Will you forgive me?” Or extravagant gifts may be a way of avoiding issues and attempting to smooth things over. They may be a way of manipulation: See what I have done for you. Now here is what I want from you. Mary’s expensive gift came from deep gratitude and devotion for Jesus who had so dramatically influenced her life.
Judas was a critical observer. Although he was one of Jesus’ twelve chosen disciples he was so upset by the extravagance, he openly criticised Mary.
Judas was a follower of Jesus. Where ever Jesus was, Judas was there with the other disciples. In fact, Judas was the treasurer for the group. He held on to the money. He paid the bills. He had no trouble admitting that Jesus was incredible. The miracles Judas had seen, the teachings he had heard, the transformation of lives he observed could not be ignored.
But . . . But . . . the equivalent of a whole year’s salary poured over Jesus body? Well, that was too much! No one could justify such an expensive, impulsive action. Even if Mary were rich and didn’t need the money herself, the action was wasteful and could have been better used in other ways – such as giving the money to the poor. Maybe she could have given it to the poor in honour of Jesus.
If Mary was not wealthy, if her actions came at a sacrifice to herself and her family then, in Judas’ eyes, her actions were absurd, totally incomprehensible.
Judas refuses to be part of such craziness. We read: 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."
Judas’ objection sounded reasonable. But they were right sounding words coming from a heart that was rapidly rejecting Jesus. His virtuous words hid an inner condition that was taking Judas away from the one Mary so adored.
John goes on to tell us that not only did Judas betray Jesus but Judas was a thief. What Judas really wanted was the value of the perfume poured on Jesus to be given to him so that he could have control of the money. If he had control of the money, he might give some to the poor. More importantly such a large sum under his control would allow Judas to indulge his own lifestyle. While Mary extravagantly poured out the equivalent of a year’s salary on Jesus’ body, Judas thought about all the things he could buy for himself with the money. John put it this way: “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.”
Now it is Jesus’ turn to speak up. After Judas’ words of criticism, the people looked to Jesus. How would he respond? Was he embarrassed by Mary’s actions? Deep down did Jesus agree with Judas? Maybe he appreciated the thought behind the gift but, like everyone else, Jesus may have felt her devotion for him was too extravagant.
Jesus’ words may surprise you: "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."
Jesus is not worried about the expense. He does not even think the money could have been better spent on the poor. Instead, he says in effect, “I am worth it.”
Jesus was able to say what he did because he knew where he was going. He knew in few days he would be hanging on a cross, betrayed by Judas. The perfume Mary poured on his body would serve as the perfume traditionally poured on the bodies of the dead to cover up the smell of decay. As an anointment for the dead Mary actions were appropriate and pointed to his death and burial.
What we learn from the other gospel accounts is that, for Judas, Mary’s actions and Jesus’ defence of her was the tipping point. Judas decided that night he had had enough of Jesus. He would betray Jesus to his enemies. In his mind and in the minds of many today—even many within the church— Jesus did not and does not deserve such adoration.
Jesus not only knew where he was going he also knew who he was. He was the Messiah. He had come to give his life as a ransom for many. Because Jesus knew he was the Messiah, the Son of God, he could freely receive the adoration of Mary. There was no false modesty, no embarrassment, no hesitation. As saviour of the world – as God the Son – he was worthy of acts of devotion and worship. Jesus would accept such acts of devotion.
Would I feel embarrassed, or unworthy of such action? Yes! The reason is simple. I am not Jesus. Only Jesus is worthy of such adoration. Anyone else is an egotist.
Mary’s actions reveal that at a deep inner level she understood Jesus’ worthiness. He was not only a leader worth following because he knew where he was going. Jesus was a leader worth adoring.
Judas was conflicted. He was impressed, astonished at Jesus. Judas even believed in Him. But somehow over the course of the two and half years he followed Jesus, Judas became disillusioned. It would seem his own greed and selfishness got between him and Jesus. A person cannot be greedy and love Jesus. Greed will eventually result in betrayal. There will come a time (usually it is reflected in the small daily decisions of life) when the desire for possessions or security or prosperity will become more important than a person’s love for Jesus.
Back to the money question. We like to say, “It is my money and I will spend it as I please.” We want to believe it. The last thing any of us want is for someone to suggest that there might be better ways for us to spend our money. But whether we like it or not, how we spend our money points to our priorities and commitments and values.
For the Christian, how spend our money is about leadership. Does the way we spend our money reflect the leadership of Jesus in our life? Do we honour him with our money? Do we show our love and adoration for him?
Mary’s extravagant gift and Jesus’ acceptance of her gift suggest Jesus is worthy. It is not a waste to extravagantly give to Jesus. He will not be embarrassed even if others think we are crazy.
Take a moment to ask yourself: Where would you place yourself in this story? Put Judas on one end of the scale and Mary on the other. Would you place yourself towards Judas, disgusted by such an extravagant gift, maybe even thinking to yourself “I could have used some of that money. What a waste.” Or would you rejoice with Mary and say to yourself, “What a wonderful, creative, uninhibited act of devotion. Jesus is certainly deserving of our best and most precious possessions.”
There are two levels at which we can reflect. At one level, how do we feel about the actions of Mary and the attitudes expressed in the story? Another level is: How we act? Look at your receipts, you schedule. What story do they tell? How is Jesus reflected in our lifestyle? Are we closer to Judas or Mary?
What is God saying to you through this story? Are there attitudes he wants to correct? Habits he wants to break? Spending priorities he wants to change? Listen for his voice. As you listen, realize Jesus is a leader worth following because he knows where he is going and he invites you to go with him.