A Question of Money

“Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” John 12:5

In this story from our Lord's word, it was stated that the protester was focused on money and not on the Lord. As he would later go on to sell our Lord's life to the religious authorities for a mere 30 pieces of silver, I cannot defend him against this charge. Today, to call someone by this man's name is the insult of an enemy, and hopefully untrue.

This story is also a common criticism from the world toward the church. Build a large church building and do a good job as unto the Lord, decorating it and outfitting it to the best of your ability, and surely along the way someone will wag the tongue about giving to the poor instead. Never mind the prayer and supplication, hard-earned donations, effort and sweat put into it, and of course the hiring of workers of every sort glad to have a job to work and earn money to feed their families, the critics would say, just don't do it and give that money away.

As someone who lived on the charity of others for a time, and then went back to work at a job, I can bear witness that having a job is better for praising the Lord and overall well being. I cannot perform a job without the Lord's freely-given strength and endurance, but to live off the hard work of others should only be done when the need is there and for as brief a time as possible. So, please build those churches, refurbish houses, grow companies, or whatever the Lord has called us to do and let us all work for the glory of the Lord Jesus!

Bucky