Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume…and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief…  John 12:3-6

Cheapskates and thieves don’t like it when money is spent on extravagant worship. When was the last time you “wasted” your resources in worship? God is worthy of extravagant gifts of time, money, goods and services. How much do you appreciate what he has done for you? What are you trusting him to do for you? Jesus had extravagantly forgiven Mary’s sin and restored her life. And when all hope was gone, he supernaturally raised her beloved brother from the dead. Mary knew her debt to Jesus and couldn’t give him enough. She poured out the thing most valuable to her…

What can we give him today?

Father,

You have forgiven my sins and restored me to life. You have changed the trajectory of my life and given me hope when I was hopeless. You have delivered me from paths that were leading to my destruction and have replaced my bad habits with a capacity to receive your love and a joyful desire to love you and love others. You have taught me to extend the forgiveness that I have enjoyed to others who have hurt and wounded me. So, today, I want to do something extravagant for you. I will look for opportunities to give extravagantly. Your Word says that if I give to the poor, you consider it a loan to yourself. Who can I help today? What can I give as an act of extravagant worship? I open my heart to you now.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.