DEVOTIONAL 6
Saturday, February 11
Why Giving and Generosity?
Gifts to Jesus Are Beautiful
8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.” —Matthew 26:8–10
It was the final week of Jesus’ life before the Cross, and He was enjoying dinner with friends. It’s here that Mary, sister of Lazarus, took perfume costing a year’s wages, and anointed the head of Jesus. Judas Iscariot, motivated by his own greed and operating under false pretenses of assisting the poor, riled up the disciples to condemn her “wasteful” actions. Jesus pushed back and declared the woman’s lavish act of worship as beautiful.
PRAY
Jesus, You are worthy of all praise, honor and glory. I ask that You help me to understand more and more Your great love for me so I might worship You in greater knowledge. You are worth more than I could give. But today, I offer my everything. Amen.
ACT
Prayerfully consider the most extravagant gifts you’ve given to others or treated yourself to. Compare that to the greatest gift you’ve offered to the Lord. How do they compare? Consider how you might use the PROCLAIM initiative to make a beautiful offering to the Lord.
FROM PASTOR CONNOR BALES
