How does Matthew 26:11 guide our priorities in serving the poor today? Setting the Scene “When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, ‘Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.’ Jesus, aware of this, said to them… ‘For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have Me.’” (Matthew 26:8-11) A woman’s costly, sacrificial act of devotion prompts Jesus to frame a timeless principle: poverty will persist on earth, yet opportunities for direct worship of Him are fleeting. Key Truths From Matthew 26:11 • Ever-present need: “You always have the poor with you.” Material poverty remains until He returns (cf. John 12:8; Deuteronomy 15:11). • Supreme priority: “You will not always have Me.” Honoring Christ Himself comes first; love for the poor flows out of that primary allegiance. • No contradiction: Jesus neither rebukes generosity nor excuses neglect; He corrects mis-ordered priorities. • Literal accuracy: The statement stands true today—poverty has never been eradicated—affirming both the reliability of Scripture and the ongoing relevance of Christ’s words. What It Does Not Mean • Not a license for indifference. Scripture repeatedly commands open-handed care (Proverbs 28:27; Isaiah 58:6-10). • Not pessimism. While poverty persists, individual lives can be changed through mercy and the gospel. • Not a dismissal of stewardship. Jesus challenges a shortsighted calculation that ignores worship; He doesn’t condemn wise charity. Guiding Principles for Serving the Poor Today 1. Worship first, serve second. Devotion to Christ fuels genuine compassion (Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 5:14). 2. Meet eternal and temporal needs together. Share the gospel while meeting practical needs (Matthew 28:19-20; James 2:15-17). 3. Expect ongoing opportunity. Because “you always have the poor,” plan continual ministries rather than one-off gestures. 4. Exercise discernment. Invest resources where they maximize both spiritual impact and tangible relief (1 Corinthians 4:2). 5. Keep Christ at the center. Acts of mercy should display His worth, not our philanthropy (Matthew 5:16). Practical Applications • Budget worshipfully: set aside funds first for congregational life and missions, then generously fund benevolence. • Prioritize local relationships: know real people in need—neighbors, widows, single parents, refugees. • Partner wisely: support ministries that proclaim Christ and train the poor for self-sufficiency. • Serve habitually: schedule recurring giving, volunteering, mentoring; poverty’s constancy calls for consistent action. • Measure by faithfulness: success is obedience to Christ, not the eradication of global poverty. Scriptures That Reinforce Our Mandate • “Open your hand to your brother, to the needy and poor in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:11 • “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40 • “Only they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” Galatians 2:10 • “Religion that is pure and undefiled… is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress.” James 1:27 • “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.” Proverbs 19:17 By keeping Christ supreme while continually extending practical mercy, Matthew 26:11 shapes a balanced, enduring approach to serving the poor in His name. |
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