NOVEMBER 12 – Reading 316

by Tim Satryan | November 12

“YOUR VALUE SYSTEM”
(Matthew 26:1-5; Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-6; Matthew 26:6-16;
Mark 14:3-11; John 12:2-8)

“‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.’” – John 12:5-7

It’s interesting the way that different people value different things. My wife and I collect clocks – old clocks! We can do this, frankly, because the price of these close has drastically dropped in recent years, so we are able to afford what previously wouldn’t have been possible. And, you may not be aware of this, but in Delaware, where I live, certain automobile license plates are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, because of the low number on the plate. 

Someone once asked me, “how do you know the value of that item?” The answer is always, “whatever someone is willing to pay for it!”

And that includes perfume!

In our text, Mary poured perfume on Jesus. Understand that at that time, this kind of perfume was of great value, with some estimating it was worth a year’s wages! Judas was outraged, stating that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor… but, really, he was pilfering the treasury for his own personal gain. Mary was perhaps expressing her extreme gratitude that her brother, Lazarus, was once again alive after Jesus raised him from the dead. But, Jesus Himself puts it all in perspective, stating that this pouring out of the perfume oil upon Him in preparation for His own burial, and also as an eternal testimony!

So, what do you value? What is worth the most in your life? Are your possessions valuable for how they make you feel and what others say about you, or is what you have most valuable for eternal things and the Kingdom of God?

Matthew 6:19-21 says “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Simple Truth:
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” – C.T. Studd, missionary to China with Hudson Taylor in the 1800’s 

Reflections & Application: 

• What do you value most in your life? How does that reflect on your relationship with Christ?

   

• It’s often been noted that you never see a hearse pulling a trailer! You can’t take your “things” with you when you die! What WILL you take with you into eternity?

   

• Other than our salvation, the most valuable thing we have is TIME! Everything else can be replaced, but each minute that passes is gone forever. How will you use your time – how do you value your time?
   

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to value what You value. Help me to prioritize in my life the things that will glorify Christ and lead others to Him. Help me to keep eternity in view and my perspective on Jesus in everything I do and say. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.