Why this waste?
These thoughts are extrapolated from a really good old sermon which has blessed our family. You can find it here, entitled "Why This Waste?"
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Matthew 26:6-13
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Matthew 26:6-13
Here we have an example of common sense conflicting with God's value system. The woman has given something that the world would see being of great value. She gave it to the Lord. It gained her no worldly, monetary value; it was lost. The disciples, who had much to learn, failed to see the value of it. Yet the woman knew the value of it; it was possibly her most precious possession on earth. And Jesus saw the value of HER OFFERING and said that it would not be forgotten.
For us at home who have been immersed in worldy philosophies and values, this is such a good lesson. We have been brought up to value what the world values. Perhaps we have been recognized or esteemed because of our abilities, abilities which could bring profit to ourselves or multiplied benefit to many others. Perhaps we have heard compliments like, "You have such a skill, you should go use it," that is, rather than merely serving your own family.
No doubt Mary, in the above story, heard these kinds of comments. No doubt she had put much thought into what she would do with this precious ointment.
Paul also shared this experience, of giving up what some would consider of great value, not just as an offering, but because of the conflict. He counted the cost.
Paul was one with many "spiritual" qualifications, but he realized that they were far inferior and added nothing to his relationship with Christ.
This attitude is one of humility, humbling ourselves. Its absolutely vital in so many ways. Not only is it fitting for us as those who profess to be disciples of the Lord Jesus, but it allows us to "lift up the Lord" through our lives, which draws others to Him, not us. And on and on.
Since our example of humility is Christ himself (Philippians 2:3-8, but really the whole chapter), God has a path for each of his children which leads them further along towards humility.
What are some of the more obvious (and non obvious) ways in which God's call on our lives as wives and moms lead us towards humility? What ways does our calling as wives and moms (and grandmas, and older sisters in the church -- see Titus 2) conflict with the world's ideas of the worth of a woman?
Here's a place to start. In discerning who are the widows eligible for support from the church, we are told:
For us at home who have been immersed in worldy philosophies and values, this is such a good lesson. We have been brought up to value what the world values. Perhaps we have been recognized or esteemed because of our abilities, abilities which could bring profit to ourselves or multiplied benefit to many others. Perhaps we have heard compliments like, "You have such a skill, you should go use it," that is, rather than merely serving your own family.
No doubt Mary, in the above story, heard these kinds of comments. No doubt she had put much thought into what she would do with this precious ointment.
Paul also shared this experience, of giving up what some would consider of great value, not just as an offering, but because of the conflict. He counted the cost.
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Philippians 3:3-9
Paul was one with many "spiritual" qualifications, but he realized that they were far inferior and added nothing to his relationship with Christ.
This attitude is one of humility, humbling ourselves. Its absolutely vital in so many ways. Not only is it fitting for us as those who profess to be disciples of the Lord Jesus, but it allows us to "lift up the Lord" through our lives, which draws others to Him, not us. And on and on.
Since our example of humility is Christ himself (Philippians 2:3-8, but really the whole chapter), God has a path for each of his children which leads them further along towards humility.
What are some of the more obvious (and non obvious) ways in which God's call on our lives as wives and moms lead us towards humility? What ways does our calling as wives and moms (and grandmas, and older sisters in the church -- see Titus 2) conflict with the world's ideas of the worth of a woman?
Here's a place to start. In discerning who are the widows eligible for support from the church, we are told:
Well reported of for good works;
if she have brought up children,
if she have lodged strangers,
if she have washed the saints' feet,
if she have relieved the afflicted,
if she have diligently followed every good work.
1 Timothy 5:9-11
if she have brought up children,
if she have lodged strangers,
if she have washed the saints' feet,
if she have relieved the afflicted,
if she have diligently followed every good work.
1 Timothy 5:9-11
(Remember, these are not qualifications for salvation, but rather evidences of a devoted life.)
Looking at these things, how many of the above are recognized as aspirations for young women graduating from high school or college today? And are we teaching our daughters (young or old) to aspire to these accomplishments? Are we aspiring to them?
Several years ago, in an christian orphanage operated by a very large church in Mexico City, hepatitis broke out among the children. One of the orphanage workers, a single woman, a college grad with a degree in art, had been exposed to an amazing example of a christian family, and observed how they were disciping their children through homeschooling. Because of the outbreak of hepatitis, she was able to get permission from the school authorities to "homeschool" the orphans during their illness.
She excitedly got to work implementing many of the features of the "model" family she had observed: devotions in the morning, Bible memory, prayer, chores, keeping everyone busy with a good routine.
After a very short time, the change in the children was amazing! Their behavior problems all but disappeared. Both those in the church which operated the orphanage and the school authorities recognized the improvement in the children, and they were given permission to continue homeschooling after the outbreak had passed.
Homeschooling continued for a time, but finally, the children were sent back to the schools.
Why?
Because in this huge church, no willing workers could be found to help with homeschooling the children.
The young woman was constantly overworked with trying to manage so much with very little assistance and could not continue.
When the need was published in the church, it was obvious that this was not a route which the young people of the church, and primarily the young people's parents, wanted for their children. Why this waste? Like in the States, college and career are considered a given for upward mobility. There was no "profit" in orphan work. And so there were no volunteers to help.
Even the single woman with an art degree was criticized by her parents for "wasting" her degree in burying herself in orphan work.
May the Lord through his Word direct us to HIS values and priorities, as we seek to live for him and point others to him!
Looking at these things, how many of the above are recognized as aspirations for young women graduating from high school or college today? And are we teaching our daughters (young or old) to aspire to these accomplishments? Are we aspiring to them?
Several years ago, in an christian orphanage operated by a very large church in Mexico City, hepatitis broke out among the children. One of the orphanage workers, a single woman, a college grad with a degree in art, had been exposed to an amazing example of a christian family, and observed how they were disciping their children through homeschooling. Because of the outbreak of hepatitis, she was able to get permission from the school authorities to "homeschool" the orphans during their illness.
She excitedly got to work implementing many of the features of the "model" family she had observed: devotions in the morning, Bible memory, prayer, chores, keeping everyone busy with a good routine.
After a very short time, the change in the children was amazing! Their behavior problems all but disappeared. Both those in the church which operated the orphanage and the school authorities recognized the improvement in the children, and they were given permission to continue homeschooling after the outbreak had passed.
Homeschooling continued for a time, but finally, the children were sent back to the schools.
Why?
Because in this huge church, no willing workers could be found to help with homeschooling the children.
The young woman was constantly overworked with trying to manage so much with very little assistance and could not continue.
When the need was published in the church, it was obvious that this was not a route which the young people of the church, and primarily the young people's parents, wanted for their children. Why this waste? Like in the States, college and career are considered a given for upward mobility. There was no "profit" in orphan work. And so there were no volunteers to help.
Even the single woman with an art degree was criticized by her parents for "wasting" her degree in burying herself in orphan work.
May the Lord through his Word direct us to HIS values and priorities, as we seek to live for him and point others to him!
Yes, Thank you.
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