Stewardship

A costly jar of ointment “wasted”; a jealous disciple mouthing words of justice to demean another follower of Jesus; a rebuke from Jesus disclosing the inevitable end of his journey towards Jerusalem—this week’s Gospel is action-packed. And it raises some interesting questions for our discipleship.

What do we owe to God and how do we honour God? When is the gift of a costly jar of ointment too much and when too little? In what ways do we use the right words to do the wrong things—to belittle and demean others? How do we manage the resources we have for the sake of God’s world and God’s realm?

From a Christian perspective, we owe God everything. God is Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. But that doesn’t mean that putting everything in the church offering plate and not having enough to look after ourselves and our families is the right thing. Rather, we are faced with the difficult day-to-day decisions of using our resources wisely.

The story of Mary anointing Jesus for burial confronts us with the question of stewardship. The question of Judas to Jesus confronts us with the issue of stewardship. And maybe, the story is pointing us towards examining our motives, our dispositions, our attitudes in making those everyday decisions about our resources. It is after all Lent, a time for self-examination.

If the way we use our money, our time, our gifts is about trying to demonstrate how good, how worthy, how righteous we are, then perhaps no matter what we give, it’s a waste. If the way we use our money, our time, our gifts is about honouring God and seeking to participate in God’s mission in the world, then maybe, whatever we do with our resources is pure gift—in the way that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus’ is pure gift to us.

Of course, that doesn’t make things easier—because using our resources wisely isn’t then about how much we give or do; it’s not about strict formulas such as tithes. Rather, it’s about continually seeking to be open to God’s purpose and God’s direction in our world. Sometimes, the costly gift of a jar of ointment in preparation for the burial of the Christ is the best gift we can give.