DAY 7 | the giFt oF love

“But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial’” (John 12:7).

I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t bled and therefore did not forget that from chapter 1 to chapter 12, is called the
like presents. Gifts are part of our lives occasion. It happens that the beneficiary “book of signs.” In this first part, John
and are a thermometer of love and gen- of this extraordinary gift was Jesus. Few presents seven signs. The first we find in
erosity. It is difficult to say what we like accounts, except the crucifixion and the Cana, and the last is the resurrection of
Resurrection, are told by all four evange- Lazarus in Bethany.
lists. This event is one of them. Matthew The second part, from chapter 13 to
says that a woman “poured the fragrant the end of the gospel, is called the “book
oil on His head” (Matt. 26:7). Mark, on of glory.” The events of this section cul-
the other hand, adds a detail: that this minate in Golgotha, where Jesus mani-
woman “broke the flask” of alabaster, and fests the glory of God.
Jesus describes it as “a good work for We see how in the Gospel of John,
Me” (Mark 14:6). The evangelist Luke calls the popularity of Jesus increases from
her “a sinner” in the city (Luke 7:37); and one sign to another. The resurrection of
in the Gospel of John, a gospel that was Lazarus motivated the Sanhedrin to meet
best: giving or receiving gifts; but Jesus written much later, we also find the name in order to decide what to do with Jesus
said that “it is more blessed to give than of this woman, Mary (John 12:3). (John 11:47-57).
to receive” (Acts 20:35).I would like to The Sanhedrin decided that Jesus
invite you to meditate on a special, ex- must die; and the disciple John, after
traordinary gift, which was offered in an The Context in the Gospel of John presenting the supper in Simon’s house,
unconventional and inappropriate way Some commentators divide the Gospel talks about a new decision of the San-
for that time. Everyone there was trou- of John into two parts. The first part, hedrin. It is not enough for Jesus to die;

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 Lazarus also must die (John 12:9-11). John ly resurrected from the dead. Martha is Jesus. The vessel was precious, made of
intersperses the report of the anointing of also present and responsible for preparing alabaster, and the contents were extreme-
Jesus under this cloud of threats, showing the meal. It is the last occasion when we ly expensive, “oil of spikenard” (John 12:3).
how great the tension was when it oc- meet all three siblings: Lazarus, Martha, A few drops would have been enough to
curred. and Mary. fill the house with the fragrance of the
If in the first part of the Gospel of John If we had the opportunity to go back anointing, but Mary pours all the contents
we have a chronology of what happened in time and be present at this dinner, what on Jesus’ body. All eyes are turned to
during the first week of messianic activ- would we be interested in? Maybe some Jesus. There is silence; indignation and
ity, now the countdown begins during of us would be surprised by the menu tension increase in the room. One of the
the last week before the crucifixion. “Six prepared, or by the way the meal was disciples finally breaks the silence with the
days before the Passover, Jesus came to served. Another surprise for our culture is words: “Why this waste?” (Matt. 26:8), and
Bethany” (John 12:1), because He wanted that only men were present, and women John tells us who that disciple was, whose
to spend the last Sabbath with His friends, were only concerned with preparing food spirit of criticism was immediately taken
in the family where He felt at home. and serving it. Discussions between those on by the other disciples.
present could be another point of interest. The spirit of criticism is still very con-
Let’s not forget, at the table there was tagious today. With mercantile thinking,
someone who had spent several days in Judas immediately calculated the cost of
Dinner at Simon’s House the grave, and such a thing had never hap- this “waste,” three hundred dinars. To have
Simon, although a Pharisee, considered pened before. a picture of Mary’s gift, the sum of three
himself a disciple of Jesus. He wanted Dinner was in full swing when some- hundred dinars was enough to provide all
to honor Jesus by preparing a special thing uncommon, even outrageous to the basic needs for a family for a whole
meal. Simon bore the epithet “the leper,” some, suddenly happened. A woman, year. We can evaluate Mary’s gift in the
because he had suffered from this terrible Mary, enters the space where the event context of today’s family income for an
disease, and Jesus had healed him. At this was taking place. She carried with her entire year. Even today, this gift would
meal were the disciples along with Jesus, a vessel, which she first “broke” (Mark be considered extraordinary. Mary was
other Jews, and Lazarus, who was recent- 14:3), and then she spilled the contents on horrified when she heard these words of

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 And being in Bethany at the
house of Simon the leper, as
He sat at the table, a woman
came having an alabaster flask
of very costlyoil of spikenard.
Then she broke the flask and
poured it on His head.
Mark 14:3

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 criticism, and now she was afraid of how indignation toward Mary and even toward this fragrant oil not sold . . . and given to
Jesus would react. Suddenly, the voice of Jesus? Ellen White in the book The Desire the poor?” (John 12:5). John said this of
Jesus is heard through the words: “Let her of Ages says that Judas was so upset that Judas: “Not that he cared for the poor,
alone; she has kept this for the day of My from this supper he went to the religious but because he was a thief, and had the
burial” (John 12:7). Jesus not only defends leaders to betray Jesus. 1
But the fact is, money box; and he used to take what was
Mary, He appreciates the profound signifi- it wasn’t his money. It wasn’t his product. put in it” (verse 6). Even decades after the
cance of her gesture. Mary’s gift points to Every time an act of generosity is mani- Gospel was written, John’s indignation is
an even greater gift, the gift of Golgotha. fested, selfishness is already present and still great. He knew that the money in the
wants to take control. This was the case bag did not belong to Judas or the disci-
then, and it is the same today. This tension ples, but was God’s.
and struggle are present in every heart, Every Sabbath in church today, money
Two Characters With Totally including our own. We were not born with is put into the offering basket or sent to
Different Attitudes a spirit of generosity; selfishness is part of the account of the church during worship.
The main character of this narrative, as our fallen nature. It is present in our DNA. This money, tithes and offerings, belongs
well as of the whole gospel, is Jesus. Let’s Even young children, up to the age of 2, to God, and His money also passes
look at two other characters who had the already have a clear sense of possession. through our hands. Selfishness or greed
opportunity to meet Jesus: Judas and They know how to say the word “mine.”
Mary. Just as parents strive to help their children
Judas, a derivative of the name Judah, give up selfish manifestations, so is God
is a beautiful name; the meaning of this fighting with us to become like Him, full of
name is “I will praise the Lord” (Gen. generosity.
29:35). Today, however, this name can John the disciple adds a detail that
rarely be found. Why was Judas bothered, we do not find in the other gospels when
and why did he create this atmosphere of Judas asked the question, “Why was

1 Ellen G. White, The Desires of Ages, p. 645.

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 might tempt us, as well, to hold on to gospel is preached in the whole world,
what belongs to God. Some may wonder what this woman has done will also be
that if Jesus knew the character of Judas, told as a memorial to her” (Matt. 26:13).
why did He agree to let him become a In the vessel that Mary broke was all
cashier? God gives us responsibilities her wealth, all her dowry, all her dreams.
not to be overcome by temptation but If we had the opportunity to ask her:
to overcome temptation. He does not “Mary, was it worth doing such a thing?”
need our offerings or tithes. We need to what do you think her response would be?
overcome selfishness and criticism. “Judas I think her answer would be: “What I did
Gifts for God
had indulged avarice until it overpow- can in no way measure up to how much
ered every good trait of his character. He He has done for me!” In the Gospels, Mary What can we offer to a person who
grudged the offering made to Jesus. His can be found every time at the feet of has absolutely everything? The only
heart burned with envy that the Saviour Jesus. After the Resurrection, she is the thing we can offer is our love. Along with
should be the recipient of a gift suitable one to whom Jesus reveals Himself for tithes, God instituted the offering system.
for the monarchs of the earth.”2 the first time. The essence of pure nard Often, when we discuss the practice of
In contrast to Judas’ attitude, we have myrrh soaked into the Savior’s body and tithing and how God treats this subject,
the example of Mary. Her gift exceeds all continued to spread the pleasant fra- we open the Bible to the last book of the
expectations. She is a model of generos- grance. When He was mocked and beaten Old Testament, the book of Malachi. In the
ity. John says, “The house was filled with and hung on the wood of the cross, the first chapter of this book, God expresses
the fragrance of the oil” (John 12:3), but fragrance of the pure nard oil told Him His displeasure with the way His people
not only the house was filled but also the that there were beings in this world who treated the offerings that were to be
courtyard. Besides the Savior, no one is valued His sacrifice. brought to the temple (Mal. 1:8), and in
more honored in the New Testament than chapter 3, along with tithes, the offerings
Mary, because Jesus said: “Wherever this are mentioned again (Mal. 3:8). The offer-

2 Ellen G. White, The Desires of Ages, p. 564.

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 There are clear principles in the Bible give because worship without giving is
that can help us to personally determine not only incomplete, it is also worthless
not only the quantity but also the quality (Ps. 50:5).
of offerings. In the Old Testament (Deut. One Friday I was at the office when a
16:10, 17), as well as in the New Testa- brother came to me and asked me to lend
ment, it is said that the offerings must be him a certain amount of money because
according to as “he may prosper,” or the tomorrow, he said, “I don’t want to attend
“gain,” of each (1 Cor. 16:2) or the bless- the worship service empty-handed.” Of
ings received. (Expand one additional course, he soon came and returned the
ings in the Bible are often associated with line about the principle of proportion- amount, but I can’t forget that occasion.
confession of sins and worship. ality.) The second principle is that of the We need to turn daily to the supreme gift
The standard of giving gifts is different sacrifice so evident in the churches of of our Savior at Calvary.
from that of tithing. Tithe is our duty, and Macedonia that the apostle Paul appre- Another offering principle is the one
duties in the Bible are expressed in spe- ciates and presents as a model for those Jesus mentioned in the Sermon on the
cific terms, to be clear to everyone. That in Corinth but also for us (2 Cor. 8:1-5). Mount. It is the principle of God’s priority
is why the tithe is 10 percent of all our Jesus was so impressed with the widow’s and His kingdom. Mary, unlike others, had
income. But offerings are not limited to gift, which she gave not of her abundance the opportunity to anoint Jesus’ body
an exact mathematical number. Offerings but with sacrifice; she gave everything before the funeral because she had made
are determined by our gratitude and love. (Mark 12:41-44). Every Sabbath, when we her gift to Jesus a priority. Ellen White
Mary’s extraordinary gift is an expression have the privilege of giving, we need to says that “the Holy Spirit had planned for
of her love and appreciation for God. ask ourselves, “Is the gift I offer to God her, and she had obeyed His promptings.”
Our offerings, not our tithe, show how today a sacrifice to me?” It is not God who The Holy Spirit still wants to lead us in
much we love God. That is why Jesus told needs our gifts, but we need to be healed giving offerings today. We can listen to
Simon, who looked down on Mary and of selfishness. His exhortations or, like Judas, be led by
judged Jesus, “But to whom little is forgiv- The third principle is that of regularity. selfishness.
en, the same loves little” (Luke 7:47). Whenever we participate in worship, we Every gift we give must become

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 a symbol of the sacrifice at Calvary. Jesus saw in Mary’s gift a
symbol of the fragrance of salvation that will spread from Gol-
gotha throughout the universe. Mary gave Jesus an even more
precious gift than the alabaster vessel with pure nard myrrh. Not
only was the vessel broken, her heart was broken as well.
Standing in front of the cross as Mary once stood, we can say:
“Lord, take into your hands our past, present, and future. Turn
our broken vessel into a vessel of honor for Your glory. Watch
over us so that we do not follow Judas’s example. We want to
express our love for You through the offerings that we offer You
every Sabbath, so that through them others will know the scent
of Your eternal salvation, Your love, and Your grace.”

Questions:
1. Am I happy that God has instituted the offering system,
or is it something that bothers me?
2. Are there gifts that God does not accept today, and if so,
what are they?
3. I am willing to decide that my offering is not out of
impulse or made of sums that do not represent me. To
what extent is my offering a symbol of the sacrifice at
Calvary?

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 c h i l d r e n ’s s to ry
Now that she is old, her income is very cy). Every day Hellen sought for ways to
The Egg Seller small, and she has had to struggle many make just that little amount of money and
times with financial needs. prayed that she could keep her promise to
“Render . . . to God the things that are One of her dearest wishes was to be God. Since she was living in the country,
God’s” (Matt. 22:21). able to sustain mission through her money she tried to sell at least two eggs a day
Hellen lives in a small village and is in and help those who were able to spread (which would have been the amount of
her retirement years, but she does not God’s Word to other people. One day that one smallest banknote), just to be
receive any monthly payment because she she decided to put aside for God a single able to put it aside for God every day.
was a housewife all her life. She always banknote every day, no matter what (the When she saw that she could easily
worked very hard as a housewife, but she smallest banknote in her country’s curren- raise this amount, she “raised the stakes.”
was never employed outside her home. cy is equivalent to 25 cents in U.S. curren- She decided to put aside one banknote

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 for mission, one for charity, one for Hope Channel, and one Questions:
for ADRA every single day. Even though the sum was not very 1. Why do you think God wants us to give offerings to
much, it was not an easy task for a 60-year-old woman with little church?
income. Every day she would pray and ask God to help her find 2. How can our money help others to know Him?
ways to complete the sum before the evening. Sometimes she 3. Challenge: try to save as much as possible this week and
would work for a little money or sell a few items, but God always give the sum at church, asking God to use it as a bless-
helped her to keep her promise, and she had many wonderful ing to those in need.
experiences while raising money for God.
Little by little, she raised the stakes again, until she was
giving a $10-value banknote to each of her four offering proj-
ects: mission, charity, Hope Channel, and ADRA. She eventu-
ally reached the point of giving a $50 value banknote for each
project every week, and she has had many beautiful experiences
with God as a result. It’s been more than four years since she
began to do this, and when she talks about it today, she always
says these were the most prosperous years of her life. She has
been greatly blessed all this time!

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