Paul’s last meeting with the elders of the Ephesian church was filled with tears because he knew he would no longer see their faces again in this earthly life (Acts 20:25, 37-38). In his farewell to these men Paul said, “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Act 20:33-35)

After Paul used his own life as an example of sacrificing for others, he then pointed these shepherds to the words of the chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4), Jesus Christ, who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Christ’s selfless giving influenced Paul, who in turn influenced these elders, who in turn would influence the entire congregation of the Lord’s church in Ephesus by their example (1 Peter 5:3).

Today we can influence one another by giving as Jesus commands us. This saying of Jesus, quoted by Paul, is never found in the Gospel accounts, but examples of its practice are on every page where our Lord appears. Jesus laid down His life for us who are His sheep (John 10:15). He asks us to follow in His example of giving our time, talents, possessions, etc. to others. J. W. McGarvey wrote regarding Jesus as our shepherd:

He says of the shepherd “When he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him.” (John 10:4.) There is no driving, but constant leading. A Judean shepherd going before his flock and calling them with a voice which they know and always follow, is an inimitably beautiful picture of the chief Shepherd himself, and of all under shepherds, leading their flocks toward the gates of heaven. That voice never directed to a path which the shepherd himself did not tread; and even if it did the sheep would take no heed to it but ever follow the footsteps of the shepherd.

Though Paul was an example to congregations, such as Ephesus, in giving his time, energy, talents, and possessions to the furtherance of the church, certain congregations were also examples to him in giving. The Philippian church was one such congregation. To them Paul wrote, “Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account” (Phil. 4:15-17). Their generosity made them rich in bearing fruit for God and had a profound influence on Paul. Though rich toward God, Philippi was not a wealthy congregation in regard to physical means, but it still gave to Paul. Philippi was in the region of Macedonia, of whom Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 8:1-2, “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” Even Paul, a great leader in the church, learned from the example of those who were willing to help him preach the Gospel.

All of us can learn more about the blessedness of giving to others. When we are selfless, we become more like Jesus Christ and influence others to be more like Him as well.

-by Mark Day

-McGarvey, J.W. A Treatise on the Eldership. 1870. Murfreesboro, TN: Dehoff Publications, 1982.

When John 12 opens, Jesus and his disciples are at Bethany, the hometown of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. Jesus is among His favorite people. Earlier in John 11:3, Mary and Martha in sending a message to Jesus refer to Lazarus as “he whom thou lovest.” Jesus, then, is enjoying good company.

Jesus is also enjoying good food. John 12:2 tells us that they made a supper for Him, and Martha served. We know that Martha was meticulous about her serving (Lk. 10:40-41), so this supper would likely be very nice.

Jesus also enjoyed a great gift from Mary. While others ate or served, Mary decided to devote a precious “pound of ointment” to Jesus (John 12:3). The ointment was called spikenard. Spikenard came from a plant called a nard. It was very expensive because it was imported from India, and it had a wonderful fragrance that Solomon praised (Song 1:12; 4:13-14). Thus, Jesus is enjoying good company, good food, and the wonderful aroma of being anointed with this precious ointment.

But leave it to a faultfinder to spoil this supper. It is an odd and aggravating truth that many times instead of enjoying good moments, there comes a faultfinder who cannot enjoy the moment nor allow others to. Judas Iscariot plays this part here. He finds fault with Mary over what he perceives to be poor judgment when he is the one “which should betray him” (John 12:4). Judas accuses Mary of wasting, saying that this ointment could be sold for 300 pence and given to the poor. But the record clarifies that Judas did not care about the poor (John 12:6). This concern for the poor was a smokescreen for his true motive: sinister thievery.

Judas “had the bag,” that is, he was the one responsible for the money bag for the disciples. Though he was treasurer of the little band of disciples, he was a thief and he “bare what was put therein” (John 12:6). “Bare” is from a Greek word with a double meaning, not unlike the English word “lift.” It signifies “to carry,” but it may also mean “to carry away” or pilfer as in the English word “shoplift.” “Bare” means that he repeatedly “lifted” from the bag and that is why he wanted more money in there. Judas was the one with the problem. This avarice eventually grew in his heart until it caused him to betray the Lord for thirty pieces of silver (Mt. 26:15).

Yet, Judas is the one criticizing Mary over a matter of judgment. He wants to tell her what to do in a matter of opinion, when he is wrong in a moral matter. Really, it was up to Mary to decide what she wanted to do with the expensive ointment; however, when somebody is really guilty, that person often is quick to jump on others, criticizing others over minor issues.

Jesus then defends Mary, saying, “Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this” (John 12:7). Mary did it as an act of respect for Jesus. The disciples, some of whom joined in with Judas in criticizing (Mt. 26:8; Mk. 14:4), would after Jesus’ death want to show respect to Him in a similar fashion as Mary had. Jesus then said, “For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.” In saying this, Jesus taught that the poor do not suffer because of the lack of money in the hands of others but from lack of love in their hearts. This entire ordeal showed a lack of love in the disciples’ hearts, particularly Judas’. Because he was guilty, he decided to make others feel bad by undue criticism, thus, spoiling this wonderful supper. Don’t spoil your supper. Get guilt out of your heart by repentance and let love in. Instead of looking for a fault in every situation, look for something to praise.

-Mark Day