How can John 12:8 guide our financial decisions and charitable giving? The Setting of John 12:8 “ ‘For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.’ ” (John 12:8) Mary of Bethany has just anointed Jesus with costly perfume. Judas objects that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus responds with this verse, affirming both the legitimacy of caring for the poor and the uniqueness of honoring Him in that moment. What Jesus Meant: Permanent Poverty, Passing Presence • Jesus is not dismissing the poor; He quotes Deuteronomy 15:11: “There will never cease to be poor people in the land.” • He highlights a limited window to honor Him physically before the Cross. • The verse balances two truths: ongoing compassion for the needy and supreme devotion to Christ. Principles for Financial Stewardship Today 1. Prioritize Worship First • Like Mary, give your best to Jesus before any other budget line. • Proverbs 3:9–10: “Honor the LORD with your wealth and the firstfruits of all your harvest.” 2. Maintain Ongoing Concern for the Poor • Permanent need means permanent responsibility (Deuteronomy 15:11; Galatians 2:10). • Budget a regular, intentional percentage for benevolence. 3. Discern Timing and Opportunity • Certain moments call for extraordinary giving—missions trips, church plants, crisis relief. • Luke 10:41–42 shows that choosing “the good portion” may look different in different moments. 4. Guard Against Hypocrisy • Judas used charity talk to mask greed. Check motives: generosity must flow from love, not show (Acts 5:1–5). 5. Hold Resources Loosely • 1 Timothy 6:17–19 urges the rich to be “generous and ready to share,” storing up treasure in heaven. 6. Give Cheerfully, Not Reluctantly • 2 Corinthians 9:6–7: sow bountifully, give cheerfully; God loves that heart. 7. Expect God’s Provision • Malachi 3:10 promises blessing to tithers; Philippians 4:19 assures God will meet needs when we prioritize His kingdom. Practical Steps • Create a “firstfruits” line in your budget: tithe/gifts to Christ-centered ministries. • Set a “mercy fund” percentage for ongoing poverty relief. • Keep an emergency margin to respond to Spirit-led, one-time opportunities. • Review spending quarterly: does it show devotion to Christ and compassion for the poor? • Teach children these patterns early, modeling sacrificial generosity. Takeaway John 12:8 calls us to a both-and life: wholehearted worship of Jesus with our best, and faithful, continual care for the poor. Ordering finances around those twin priorities reflects the heart of our Lord and prepares treasure in heaven. |
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