Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essense of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head. Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly. But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” MARK 14:3-9 NLT
See also MATTHEW 26:6-13
You must bring everything I command you—your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your sacred offerings, and your offerings to fulfill a vow—to the designated place of worship, the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored. DEUTERONOMY 12:11 NLT
You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ACTS 20:35 NLT
Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”
Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”
“That’s right,” Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” LUKE 7:41-48 NLT
“She has done what she could…” MARK 14:8 NLT
Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 2 CORINTHIANS 8:12 NLT
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 CORINTHIANS 9:7 NLT
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. LUKE 6:38 NLT
Find a quiet place and read through Luke 7:36-50 several times, slowly. Picture yourself in the place of each of the main people. What does it feel like to be the woman, offering Jesus something precious in the face of disapproval? What objections rise up in you as an observer–do you feel anger at the waste, embarrassment or confusion? What feelings might Jesus have had at being cared for in this way? As you think about sharing your time, money and passions with the church, which of these feelings surface in you? Allow yourself to look at them honestly with God. Then offer them to him. As you go through your week, ask God how he desires to move in your heart in the midst of these emotions.