MIXED SIGNALS?

Does Jesus give mixed signals when it comes to the poor?

Jesus counseled the rich young ruler, "...sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Mark 10:21).

But at Bethany a woman came in carrying a small bottle of very costly perfume. She broke it open and poured the contents on Jesus’ head. Some strongly objected. They pounced on the woman with fury. She had wasted something precious. The perfume could have been sold for a lot of money and the proceeds given to the poor. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not always have me" (Mark 14:6-7).

Surprisingly, Jesus did not see "giving to the poor" as the first order of business and therefore defended the woman in what she did. He did not criticize her for owning this expensive nonessential in the first place, or for the "wasteful" way she used it.

So what do we make of these two accounts? Is it not possible that Jesus was more concerned about the spiritual condition of the rich young ruler than he was the poor? The wealth of the young man was obviously a barrier between himself and God. "Sell what you have, and give to the poor...and come, follow me."

In the case of the woman, Jesus interprets her act as being an expression of love to Himself (and thus, at the same time, a commitment of loyalty to God who sent Him). Viewed in this light, it was proper for her gift to Jesus to take priority over helping the poor.

When one’s first commitment is to Christ, the poor have nothing to fear.

John Gipson