We Must Learn to Receive From God
Scripture Reference: John 12:1-7 / Mark 14:3-9 (KJV)
John 12:1-7 1 Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
Mark 14:3-9 3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? She hath wrought a good work on me. 7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
I would like to share a joke that I found on sermon central.com. It really doesn’t have anything to do with this particular sermon but it will open our spirit’s a little to receive this message.
A wealthy businessman hosted a spectacular party in which he had filled his swimming pool with sharks, barracuda, and other assorted dangerous fish. He announced to his guests that he would like to challenge any of them to try swimming across the pool, and he would offer a first prize of either a new home in the mountains, a trip around the world for two, or a piece of his business. No sooner had he made the announcement than there was a splash and a man swam rapidly across the infested waters and bounded up out on the other side. The millionaire said to the dripping man, "That was a stunning performance. What prize do you want?" He answered tersely, "Right now I really don’t care about the prize. I just want to get the name of the turkey who pushed me in.
"James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, p. 385....
Roy Fowler
Sometimes we can be too quick to turn the things of God down. Especially when we are doing okay. We think that because we are not in dire need then we really don’t want to accept any gifts from anyone. It makes us feel low or something. Also the quickest way it seems for a good wholesome pastor to fall out of the good grace of his people is to readily accept gifts given to him by his members for no apparent reason.
The first thing that I would like to say about this passage of scripture is “Poor Mary Magladine” The reason I say this is because I feel pity for her because the world is thoroughly convinced that she is a prostitute nowhere in the Holy Bible does it state that she was ever a prostitute.
The reason that this scripture is so interesting is because Jesus like many of us could have easily turned down the opportunity to receive this blessing. Why should he?
Judas was bold enough to do then just like some of us are doing today, he spoke against the man of God receiving from the people of God. (John 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?)
For some unknown reason many faithful church members are convinced that the men and women of God placed by God to help us do not need to be blessed and honored just for the sake of encouragement.
We accuse the members of waste when they go out of their way to bless their spiritual leadership
There are so many times when a humble servant of God can be easily overlooked and passed by. He could be the very one to pass out numerous accolades, gifts, awards, etc. never to receive any recognition or encouragement from anyone.
We say the same thing that many people around Jesus could have said at the time. “He’s blessed by God there is no need to worry about him.”
It is true, we as people of God should never do anything and expect something back in return however it is truly good to know that you are appreciated by more than just someone speaking kind words to you.
In this passage Jesus is in the process of being shown appreciation for his works and he was not going to let anyone or anything stand in his way
This may seem like a small token of appreciation for a man of such great works but Jesus was overtaken with gratitude by her actions. He was so thankful that he said that he would make her a memorial (Mark 14:9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.)
(something that keeps remembrance alive). This is sort of awkward because many times when he would heal he would say go and tell no one what happened. In fact, many of the things that Jesus did he would order the person not to tell anyone but this act of kindness he wanted it to be preached about all over the world.
There was another woman who anointed the feet of Jesus. The woman in the book of (Luke 7:37 - 39, 44 - 50 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.)
This woman was not Mary Magdaline. I truly believe that Satan put that rumor out himself so that we may be tricked and that Mary lose some of her integrity and moral standards.
What if when Mary approached Jesus he had said, “No thank you, woman keep that ointment for yourself.” How would God the Father have been able to physically show him appreciation for a mission well done? How would we view Mary Magdaline even though many of us remember this event the wrong way we wouldn’t remember it at all
This is the same for when we are approached by the people of God with gifts and favors. The leadership and people that labor for God truly need to learn to allow God to bless them. Like anything else there are and there will always be leaders who take the people of God for everything they have. The more that the people give the more that the “taskmasters” desire. Their greed is of Satan and it will never end or be satisfied.
Also we as leaders and laborers are led by God to know when he has shed light on ill gotten gain. Do me a favor and don’t knowingly accept gifts from thieves and try to act like you don’t know because you are making the rest of the people of God look like thieves just like you. When you are greedy the people relate your greed to everyone associated with the pulpit.
There is a happy medium where we can exist. There is a place where the people give and we receive and everyone receives from the actions. This too is something that must be learned from the godhead don’t think that because you are turning down everything that is offered to you that you are pleasing to God because sometimes God will send someone your way to be blessed by their giving.
God forbid that we should ever believe that just because one person was blessed through their open giving of gifts then everyone will be blessed the same. Let God be your guide.
Did you know for that time period the worth of this alabaster box was about ten thousand dollars? Which is an extreme amount of money for someone in her financial condition but not only did she wipe Jesus feet with the ointment but she broke the box signifying that she was ready and willing to give all that she had to please the man of God.
I am not saying that it is necessary for anyone to give all that they have right now to be blessed. I am simply making it plain to the people of God that we have to always be willing and ready to receive from God.
CONCLUSION
There are many churches in America today whose primary motive is to receive gifts/money from their members. That church is cursed and will never have enough.
However there are other churches who leave the doors open for anyone to give anyhow God leads them whether it be big or small. These churches receive greatly from their members. These churches are blessed and will never want for nothing. (Acts 5)
Which church are you? If you are stopping your members from giving in order to be a blessing then you are hurting them more than you are helping them let them bless you so that God can bless them it is their integrity and salvation on trial not yours.
Let’s Pray
Father God above all I give thanks to your holy name. Thank you Lord God for the spirit of giving that you have blessed your people to have. My prayer right now is that the people of God open the doors of their heart to receive from your people as you have designed from the beginning of time. Amen
Thank You. May God continue to bless you and keep you. Amen
Your Friend
Minister Juan D. Lane
