A Lesson on Church Finances
In John 12, Mary of Bethany comes and anoints the feet of Jesus with about a pound of pure nard. A very precious ointment that would cost a year’s wages for a day-laborer. In today’s society, a cost equivalent of about $30,000-40,000. A sum that most of us would never spend on perfume. This perfume was most likely part of a dowry that Mary would have received from her parents and a gift she would have offered to her future husband. With no gift to offer a future husband, a woman would most likely be passed over for someone else.
When Mary offers all of the ointment to Jesus, she fully casts her lot in with Him. Her worship was scandalously extravagant. It was prophetic in that it pointed to the Lord’s impending death. It is a powerful reminder of the dedication of Jesus’ early followers.
What Mary did with the perfume was the highest and best use of that very expensive gift.
As Mary poured the oil on Jesus’ feet, the aroma would have filled the room. Pure nard is from a plant in India. It was prized for its aromatic qualities as well as its ability to last on the skin. In other words, the aroma of Mary’s worship would have lasted for days.
John also tells us about Judas’ response to Mary’s extravagant worship. Judas asks why this ointment could not have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor. If you don’t read John’s commentary about the type of person that Judas was—a thief and a liar—and simply listen to Judas’ own words, you might be tempted to think that Judas had the most reasonable perspective. “Yes, this is too much money to spend on Jesus—there are so many people out there that need help and this could be a great way to help them.” “Let’s sell this and pay down the church debt.” “This money will help us renovate our fellowship hall…surely that is what Jesus would want.”
Yet, Jesus says to Judas and the others: “Leave her alone…”. He affirms her use of the ointment in scandalously extravagant worship.
Over the last few decades, churches have been encouraged to use business principles in their administration. Marketing, production, financial analysis, ROI are all terms that seem to have popped up in church board rooms and seminars. I am not suggesting that there is not some wisdom in business principles, but our operating guide cannot be authored by Peter Drucker or Marcus Buckingham. Pastors and church leaders must be Spirit led and understand that there are times when scandalously extravagant worship is called for. It may cause onlookers to stand in stunned silence. It may cause those who are used to handling the church resources to question. Yet, if we are to be led by the Lord’s Spirit, then there will be times when decisions are made which may otherwise seem imprudent.
What Mary did with the perfume was the highest and best use of that very expensive gift. After that moment, there were two people who left the room with the aroma of worship. Jesus—being anointed for his death and Mary who used her hair as a rag to rub the perfume on His feet.
As we look to Resurrection Sunday in just over a week, it might be good to ask the question, “When we encounter Jesus, do we leave the room with the aroma of worship?”