Monday's Blessing
Matthew 26:8
"And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, For what purpose is all this waste?"
Reading crucial Christian texts inspire poverty and living amongst pestilence. After all, all of our great saints have removed all worldly possessions and lived among some of the most incomprehensible places on earth. Places that we wouldn't even dream of taking a step in let alone working with those most unfortunate.
This ideology follows us. After all, to be a good follower and practice the faith we must learn to be tolerable, roll up our sleeves, and infiltrate such opportunities. Knowing our great forefathers followed such direction initiates such thoughts in our own current situations. Sometimes, those thoughts are so deeply ingrained that we feel guilty for some of life's guilty pleasures.
These teachings come from the Bible which encourages prudence. God wants us to be good managers of our resources and not be wasteful. But, there are times God has a tendency to get extravagant with those he loves. He wants us to bask in what he gives us because he loves us.
Instead when we are blessed proficiently we get stingy and cheap. We think, "Oh, look isn't this wonderful?! But, I don't really need that; I can do without it."
I think when these opportunities are laid at our feet, we deprive ourselves sometimes thinking we are not worth the indulgence. We don't want to waste anything for ourselves - after all, someone may need it - a child, husband, or other family member. In trying NOT to WASTE anything we miss out on God's special blessing for ourselves. Then we whine, "My life is so full - I have no time for me! I am so busy doing for everyone else!"
Take another look at today's verse. It is a time right before Christ's suffering. He went to Simon's house, where a woman named Mary came up to him and poured expensive perfume on his head as he was relaxing at a table. He must have just finished a wonderful meal from his friends. When the disciples saw what she did that became angered and exclaimed, "For what purpose is all this WASTE?!" They went on to state, "This perfume could have been sold and money given to the pour."
Oh how we miss messages. Jesus spoke often of the poor. He encouraged all to remember to help those in need. He NEVER stated that we must deprive ourselves of any indulgences in the meantime.
He quickly turned and told them not to bother the woman, because she had done a wonderful thing for him. He added that such a thing helped him prepare for the days ahead. (Matthew 26:6-12) This love she showed him helped give him strength for the upcoming persecution, trail, suffering, crucifixion, and death.
Jesus was stating at this point and time in his life, the extravagance was worth it.
Don't live a reckless, wasteful life, but do remember at times you are work a little extravagance.
This Week's Meditation:
My happiness and function with God are one.
Pray:
God gives me happiness.
During these times I must accept graciously.
My happiness and function are one with God.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. And realize God has you in his arms always.
Matthew 26:8
"And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, For what purpose is all this waste?"
Reading crucial Christian texts inspire poverty and living amongst pestilence. After all, all of our great saints have removed all worldly possessions and lived among some of the most incomprehensible places on earth. Places that we wouldn't even dream of taking a step in let alone working with those most unfortunate.
This ideology follows us. After all, to be a good follower and practice the faith we must learn to be tolerable, roll up our sleeves, and infiltrate such opportunities. Knowing our great forefathers followed such direction initiates such thoughts in our own current situations. Sometimes, those thoughts are so deeply ingrained that we feel guilty for some of life's guilty pleasures.
These teachings come from the Bible which encourages prudence. God wants us to be good managers of our resources and not be wasteful. But, there are times God has a tendency to get extravagant with those he loves. He wants us to bask in what he gives us because he loves us.
Instead when we are blessed proficiently we get stingy and cheap. We think, "Oh, look isn't this wonderful?! But, I don't really need that; I can do without it."
I think when these opportunities are laid at our feet, we deprive ourselves sometimes thinking we are not worth the indulgence. We don't want to waste anything for ourselves - after all, someone may need it - a child, husband, or other family member. In trying NOT to WASTE anything we miss out on God's special blessing for ourselves. Then we whine, "My life is so full - I have no time for me! I am so busy doing for everyone else!"
Take another look at today's verse. It is a time right before Christ's suffering. He went to Simon's house, where a woman named Mary came up to him and poured expensive perfume on his head as he was relaxing at a table. He must have just finished a wonderful meal from his friends. When the disciples saw what she did that became angered and exclaimed, "For what purpose is all this WASTE?!" They went on to state, "This perfume could have been sold and money given to the pour."
Oh how we miss messages. Jesus spoke often of the poor. He encouraged all to remember to help those in need. He NEVER stated that we must deprive ourselves of any indulgences in the meantime.
He quickly turned and told them not to bother the woman, because she had done a wonderful thing for him. He added that such a thing helped him prepare for the days ahead. (Matthew 26:6-12) This love she showed him helped give him strength for the upcoming persecution, trail, suffering, crucifixion, and death.
Jesus was stating at this point and time in his life, the extravagance was worth it.
Don't live a reckless, wasteful life, but do remember at times you are work a little extravagance.
This Week's Meditation:
My happiness and function with God are one.
Pray:
God gives me happiness.
During these times I must accept graciously.
My happiness and function are one with God.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. And realize God has you in his arms always.
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