THE LORD JESUS CHRIST CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THE POOR, SO SHOULD WE

MONEY MONDAY

There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor – Matthew 26:7-9

When the woman with the alabaster box poured expensive perfume on the Lord’s head, His disciples were offended. They saw it as a waste of money. But that’s not because they were being unspiritual. Luke 12:33 says, ‘Sell your possessions and give to the poor.’

The disciples were merely responding to the Lord’s commandment to sell one’s possessions and giving the proceeds to the poor. In fact, giving to the poor was a big focus of the Lord’s ministry. After the Lord spoke to Judas about His betrayal, they thought He was sending him to give to the poor, that’s how much the Lord’s ministry gave to the poor. John 13:29 says, ‘For some of them thought…Jesus had said unto him…he should give something to the poor.’ The Lord’s ministry wasn’t just about the word and miracles, it was also about the poor, big time.

After His ascension, the apostles continued to focus on the poor. When Paul went to Jerusalem, he discussed giving to the poor with the other apostles. Galatians 2:10 says, ‘Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.’ Giving to the poor was important to the Lord then and it’s still important to Him now. As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we should walk in His footsteps and be concerned about the plight of the poor. The expensive items we have, that we don’t really need, should be sold and the proceeds given to the poor.

PRAYER

Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, help not to live a self-centred life of amassing material possessions. May I remember the poor, and like the Lord Jesus Christ, may I dedicate my life to helping them with my substance. Amen.