GIVER OR "GETTER"

While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. But some were indignantly remarking to one another, "Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor." And they were scolding her. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her." 

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time. (Mark 14:3-11 NASB)

Two very contrasting people in this passage, and this in relation to Jesus Christ.  The first a giver.  The other, a "getter" (don't know if there is such a term).  

The first was a woman who had an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard.  Both the vial and the perfume were of high value.  Instead of just pouring the perfume on the Lord, which by the way was a common practice then, she broke the vial to make sure that all of the costly perfume was poured out on the Lord.  She broke an expensive vial, and poured out all of the perfume.  She did not keep any for herself.  She gave her all to the Lord.

Some felt it was a waste to pour all of it for Jesus.  It could have been sold and the money given to the poor, they said.  Obviously they did not have the same affection for Jesus.

The second example - Judas.  Just the mention of his name does not surprise us why he was a "getter".  Just for money he was willing to betray someone who was supposedly his Lord.  Obviously, throughout the time he followed the Lord his heart was not for Jesus but for himself.  Even after being with the Son of Man, witnessing His miracles, listening to His teachings, and knowing the truth of who He really was, for a small amount of money he was willing to betray Him.

One, for the sake of love, gave all.  Not only was the woman willing to give all...she actually did.

The other, for the sake of money, was willing to give up his relationship with the Christ.

Both  had opportunities.  One had the opportunity to give to the Lord.  The other had the oppurtunity to get more of what he loved.

One showed love for the Savior.  The other showed love for money.

I wonder...Which one are we?

Our circumstances and the gospel

Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel...

We know that our lives are founded and centered in the gospel when every circumstance that we go through, good or bad, turns out for the greater progress of the gospel.  In other words, no matter what we are going through, whether we are being "blessed", or are going through trials and hardships in life, it is an opportunity for us to testify of the good news of our Lord.

Paul was in prison.  He was in prison because he was sharing and spreading the gospel.  You would think that his circumstances would have stopped him from sharing.  That's what the Roman officials and Jewish leaders were hoping for.  But that wasn't what happened.  Paul just kept on preaching, probably even to the guards who were assigned to him.  Not only that, his imprisonment emboldened other believers to keep sharing the gospel!  

Why?  The gospel has nothing to do with our circumstances.  Many religions, "spiritual" teachings and philosophies are rooted in our circumstances.  And this, sadly, is what people look for.  Anything to keep their lives blessed and abundant.  The moment this doesn't happen they lose faith in that philosophy or teaching.  Sadly this also happens with those who follow Christ.  If this is the case then they have followed Christ for the wrong reason.  The gospel has nothing to do whether our lives improve or not, whether or not we find what we're looking for, whether we have trials or not.

The good news is about God reconciling us to Himself.  He who was offended by our sinfulness graciously provided the solution by sending us His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins.  This is the first problem of man that we should seek a solution for - not our lifestyle or our problems, but our state before Him.  Because we have offended Him there is a price to pay for that - eternal death.  But the Son of God lovingly and willingly gave His life and paid the penalty for us.  Because of His sacrifice, when we believe in what He did by faith, we are reconciled.  This is the good news!

And no matter what our circumstances are, they should serve as a pathway for the greater progress of the gospel.

If we are "blessed" it's not because we deserve it, but because by His grace we were reconciled to God and now are open to His blessings.

If we have trials or hardships this does not change our love and faith in our Savior, for He has already shown the utmost expression of His love - by dying on the cross for us as payment for our sins.  And we know that these experiences in life are simply God's tools in forming our Christ like character.

Are our circumstances turning out for the greater progress of the gospel?