Skip to main content

Season of Giving, Part 3 - Unappreciated Values in Christian Giving

Photo by Daniel on Unsplash


Scripture Reading:
“You always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burying” (Mark 14:7–8, RSV).

Opening Reflection

Sometimes the greatest treasures are overlooked. In 1858, a U.S. Army lieutenant named Ives looked out over the Grand Canyon and called it “altogether valueless.” Today, millions travel the world to stand in awe of its beauty. What he dismissed, generations have cherished.

In Mark 14, a woman anointed Jesus with costly perfume. The disciples saw waste. Jesus saw worship. They missed the value of her gift—He revealed it.

Christian giving often carries unappreciated values, hidden treasures that aren’t measured in dollars but in love, sacrifice, and opportunity.

Four Unappreciated Values in Christian Giving

1. The Extravagance of Love
Love often looks extravagant. The woman’s perfume was worth nearly a year’s wages. To the disciples, that seemed excessive. To Jesus, it was beautiful. Real love compels us to give beyond what we can calculate. Christian giving, at its core, is not about math—it’s about love.

Reflection: When was the last time my giving looked “extravagant” to someone else—but was simply an expression of love for Christ?

2. The Worth of Benevolence
The disciples asked if the money should have gone to the poor. Their question revealed a limited perspective. They valued efficiency over devotion. But Jesus saw that her act of love would inspire generations.

One little girl, giving up her ring during a church offering, told her pastor, “I did not give that ring to you.” True giving always carries worth beyond what others see—it is unto the Lord.

Reflection: Do I measure the worth of my giving by earthly results, or by the joy it brings to God?

3. The Acceptance of Opportunity
Jesus reminded His disciples that the poor would always be present, but He would not always be with them. This was a unique, fleeting moment. The woman seized it.

Too often, we regret what we failed to give or say. Christian giving reminds us: act while you can.

Reflection: What opportunity to give or serve is before me right now that I must not miss?

4. The Exercise of Ability
Jesus said of the woman, “She has done what she could.” That’s all God asks—not what we can’t do, but what we can.

Norman Vincent Peale once told a wealthy man to start with what he could do—give a tithe during a European trip. That simple step opened a path into faith and service.

Giving isn’t about the ability we don’t have; it’s about willingness with what we do have.

Reflection: What simple act of giving is within my reach today?

Closing Thought

There are values in Christian giving the world may never recognize: the extravagance of love, the worth of benevolence, the acceptance of opportunity, and the exercise of ability.

Like the Grand Canyon, they may appear “valueless” to some. But to Jesus, they are treasures of devotion.

When we give—whether perfume, a ring, a tithe, or our time—we discover those hidden values for ourselves. And Jesus’ words still hold true: “She has done what she could.”

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Season of Giving: An Invitation

Photo by  Robert Gray  on  Unsplash Scripture Reading:   James 1:17 (NLT) "Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." Reflection November is a month marked by gratitude and generosity. As the leaves fall and the days shorten, we are reminded that every good and perfect gift comes from the hand of our Father. This season invites us to pause, to notice, and to give—not only from what we have, but from who we are in Christ. We live in a culture where giving can sometimes feel transactional—measured by what we buy, wrap, and exchange. But Scripture reminds us that true giving flows from a deeper source: the heart of God. In this  Season of Giving , we will walk through stories from Scripture that invite us to give in ways that reflect His love, His presence, and His abundance. What to Expect in This Series Over the next several weeks leading up...
Post a Comment
Read more

Elephants and Thorns in the Church, Part One: The Weight We Don’t Name - When the room grows quiet, but no one speaks

We’ve all felt it—that subtle tension that hums in the air during a leadership meeting, a staff gathering, or even a Sunday morning service. No one says it out loud, but we all feel it. Something is off. There’s a strain beneath the surface. Maybe it’s an unspoken conflict, a broken trust, or a weariness no one knows how to admit. It’s like the quiet hum of an electrical current that never stops. We carry on, smile politely, and keep the machine of ministry running, but deep down, we know there’s an elephant standing in the sanctuary. Sometimes the elephant is  disappointment —the gap between what we hoped ministry would be and what it’s become. Sometimes it’s  conflict —the unresolved tension between teams, pastors, or board members that everyone tiptoes around. Sometimes it’s  pain —the wound left by a moral failure, an unaddressed betrayal, or a leadership culture that confuses control with care. We see it. We feel it. We just don’t name it. Why? Because naming it feel...
Post a Comment
Read more

No Quick Fix in 2026: Trusting the Slow Work of God

Photo by  Kelly Sikkema  on  Unsplash As the new year unfolds, I find myself reflecting not on resolutions, but on rhythm. Not on how fast I can get somewhere, but on who I’m becoming along the way. Every January carries its own pressure — the blank pages, the goals, the desire to start strong and fix what feels broken. But if the past few years have taught me anything, it’s that the most sacred work of God in our lives rarely happens quickly. The Spirit does not rush transformation. Grace grows slow. That’s why my theme for this year — both personally and for  The Quiet Chaplain  — is simple: No Quick Fix in 2026. Slow grace. Steady growth. Learning to Trust God’s Timing Romans 12:2 (NLT) reminds us, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” That little word  let  matters. It’s an invitation to  allow  God to do what only He can do — in His time, in His way. Transformation is not a weekend project; it’s a lifet...
Post a Comment
Read more