Nothing you Give to Jesus is Ever Wasted

Luke’s gospel records the story about an unnamed woman who was at the home of Simon the Leper at the same time that Jesus was dining there, in the city of Bethany. She came over to Jesus “with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant.  ‘Why this waste?’ they asked.  ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor’ (Matthew 26:7-9).”

Though the woman is unnamed, it is most likely Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, because John’s gospel (John 12:1-8) recounts a similar story taking place in Bethany prior to Christ’s crucifixion, which matches the timeline and location recorded in Matthew’s gospel, and names Mary as the woman. In that account the value of the perfume is said to be worth a year’s wages. So, this was no small gift to Jesus.  
The disciples are indignant that so much money was spent like this. To them it seemed like a waste. Yet, notice the response of Jesus: “Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.  The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.  When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.  Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:10-13)
In other words, Jesus was saying that this was not a waste.

1) First, it was an act of faith. In anointing the head of Jesus in this way, she was declaring her belief that Jesus was the true Messiah, which means “anointed one”. 

2) Second, it was a prophetic act. Unknown perhaps to her, Jesus said her actions were preparing his body for burial.  You may recall that after the body of Jesus was crucified and removed from the cross, the Sabbath had begun (starting at sundown on the Friday), and so the friends of Jesus could not perform the typical burial practices of anointing (Luke 23:55-56) his body for burial.  So, Mary’s anointing before Christ’s death did what wouldn’t be done after his death! All of it, however pointed to the fact that Christ prophesied his death and resurrection before it happened (Mark 9:31).

3) Third, it was an act of generosity. The value of the perfume was a year’s salary (John 12:5).

4) Fourth, it was an act of love. It was the heart-felt expression of Mary’s love for Jesus. We must never forget that God knows the heart. Luke’s gospel also tells the story of an unnamed woman who anointed Jesus with perfume. If this was Mary, then she loved much because she had been forgiven much (see Luke 7:47).

5) Fifth, it was an act of service. She was serving the Lord with her time and treasure.

6) Sixth, it was an act of suffering. In doing what she did she suffered ridicule and scorn. Yet, through this hardship, there was great reward.

Some might look at you giving your tithe and offering to Jesus as a waste.  But nothing you give to Jesus is ever wasted.
Some might look at you giving your time in service to a particular ministry as a waste. But nothing you give to Jesus is ever wasted. The church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), and so what you do for it is done for Jesus.
Some might look at you giving your efforts to pointing others to Christ as a waste. But nothing you do for Jesus is ever wasted.
Some might look at your prayers as a waste of time. But prayer is never a waste of time.
Some might look at your suffering and pain as a waste. But if we entrust even that to Jesus, it is never wasted in His economy (2 Cor. 4:17-18, Romans 8:28).

What others might call a waste Jesus says is “beautiful” (Matthew 26:10). 
Remember this next time you question if your tithe and offering matters.
Remember this next time you question if your presence at church matters.
Remember this next time you question if your service to a ministry matters.
Remember this next time you question if your prayers matter.
Remember this next time you are frustrated and hurting.
It matters to Jesus. Nothing you give to Jesus is ever wasted