Powerful Perfume

I was doing some editing on my upcoming e-book and came across something I wrote years ago that really speaks to what I'm dealing with today. (And in case you're curious, it will be in the e-book Transform(180). 180 daily readings filled with encouragement, challenges and humor, designed to reignite your passion for God and revolutionize your spiritual journey. Hopefully I can have the complete e-book available on Amazon sometime in October.)

Powerful Perfume

Focus Text: Mark 14:1-6

Key Verse: "It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor." (5)

Comments:
You know, that argument sounds good. Wouldn’t it be better to use the money to help poor people? Let’s face it, dumping something expensive on someone’s head is awfully close to a waste of money even if that someone happens to be the Son of God.

Well, it may sound logical, but it’s wrong and for a couple of reasons.

First, it misses the point concerning where money comes from. God’s still not poor. And don’t forget that when financial challenges arise, it’s normally a case of Him working to raise our faith level more than us trying to raise our finances.

And second, the question misses the idea of importance. We spend hours arguing over nickels in church budgets. We fund things because we’ve always done it. We raise allotments because a group spent all we gave them last year. We cut amounts if giving drops.

And we miss out on doing God’s work, not because He’s not willing to finance it, but because we’re not willing to ask the important question first. “What does God want us to do?”

See, if God wants it done, He’ll provide for it. But we’re not willing to take the time to even ask Him. It might ruffle a few feathers or force us to live by faith instead of by comfortable tradition.

But if God says to pour out some perfume, pour it out. Because the real bottom line isn’t in finances.
It’s in obedience.

Prayer:
[Father, help us to always let Your will guide our spending. And help me to trust You to do whatever You ask.]