Recognizing Real Worth

Over the weekend my wife and I went to visit our grandchildren. While there Phyllis decided to make a deal with them. She would pay each child if they would agree to help her carry boxes upstairs and clean the house.  They agreed and immediately went to work.  It was amusing to see the little darlings putting their all into getting the job done. When finished they eagerly awaited compensation.  Cade, the six year old was asked if he would rather have 100 pennies or a five dollar bill. Anxiously he replied, “I will take the pennies.”  However, during the negotiation my son intervened telling his son that five dollars equaled 500 pennies. Immediately he had a change of mind, paper was a lot better than copper.  Initially, because of immaturity he had failed to recognize the real worth of the five dollar bill.  This malady is found in the spiritual realm as well.  Shortly before Jesus was crucified, a woman named Mary poured a bottle of expensive perfume on His feet. Then in what may have been a more daring act, she wiped His feet with her hair. Not only did Mary sacrifice what may have been her life’s savings, she also sacrificed her reputation. This action drew sharp criticism from Judas. He asked, “Why was this ointment not sold and the proceeds given to the poor?” Upon hearing these words, Jesus responded with a stern rebuke. “Leave her alone.  She has done this for my burial and the act of worship  you have interpreted as being wasteful and insignificant will be remembered as a memorial for centuries to come.”  In essence, this greedy disciple was grasping for pennies while a treasure was at his disposal. He simply failed to recognize the worth of anointed worship. God continually offers us His unlimited resources. However, more often than not we find ourselves focusing on the meager when we can have the magnanimous. With the help of the Holy Spirit as negotiator we will always find ourselves getting the best deal possible. He will guide us into the actions and acceptance of those things recognized as having the most worth.