Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
John 12.1-3
But some were there who … scolded her. But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’
Mark 14.4-9
Surprisingly, Jesus supported Mary’s use of a precious, scarce resource, to the extent that her news headline still survives.
As we attempt to go simply in our lifestyle, and yet hear Jesus affirm extravagant, loving celebration, what does that say to us about our use of scarce resources: time, energy, money?
How do I hold careful stewardship of creation and just care of my neighbour jointly with joyful celebration of beauty, relationship, rest?
Consider the following continuum:
Ascetic – Frugal – Measured – Generous – Lavish – Extravagant
- Where do I usually settle in my daily decisions?
- How do I change this according to who is involved?
As you thought through the continuum, did you focus solely on your use of money?
- Where do I usually settle in my daily decisions around my use of time? of personal energy?
- Where do I usually settle in my daily decisions around my use of the world’s scarce resources?