John 12:1-8
Six days before Passover Jesus went back to Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus from death. A meal had been prepared for Jesus. Martha was doing the serving, and Lazarus himself was there.
Mary took a very expensive bottle of perfume and poured it on Jesus' feet. She wiped them with her hair, and the sweet smell of the perfume filled the house. A disciple named Judas Iscariot was there. He was the one who was going to betray Jesus, and he asked, "Why wasn't this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor?" Judas did not really care about the poor. He asked this because he carried the moneybag and sometimes would steal from it. Jesus replied, "Leave her alone! She has kept this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor with you, but you won't always have me."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Every day, we make choices about what is important. We choose whether to spend time studying or watching television or video games. We decide whether to eat the healthy cereal in our cabinet or that powdered sugar donut on the counter that keeps calling our name. We make a decision to spend money on things we want but may not really need… often at the expense of paying our bills. Life is pretty much a series of choices.
The life of a Christian involves choices, too. Obviously we are supposed to choose a Godly life over one filled with sin. As followers of Jesus, we are also called to make several other choices. And one of them is Who – and how – to serve.
Today, this scripture reminded me that we are not supposed to judge others for their service… and they are not to judge us. Just because one person teaches Sunday School, sings in the choir, and serves on a half dozen committees at church doesn’t mean this is what God is asking of us. We are not to question another believer’s donations, mission trips, or motives in general. It may appear to us that someone is not carrying his/her load… we may feel that some spend their time unwisely or waste their talents and resources. But this is not our call… and Jesus clearly pointed this out when Mary poured the precious, expensive oil on His feet and Judas criticized her.
Each of us is called to serve God in a unique way. What He expects of us may be completely different from what is expected of another. As long as we listen for God’s call… stay attuned to His will for us… and serve in the way that He desires, it’s really nobody else’s business. And we are not to judge the other guy, either.
So this scripture passage represents a wake-up call. We need to be busy doing what we are supposed to do as faithful Christian servants. We need to be glorifying God with every choice we make. And we need to be minding our own business when it comes to how our fellow believers are serving. Ask yourself how well you are doing… then ask God to help you line up your priorities with His. And let’s keep our opinions about others to ourselves.
©2011 Debbie Robus
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