Judas and the Poor

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Six days before Passover Jesus went back to Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus from death. A meal had been prepared for Jesus. Martha was doing the serving, and Lazarus himself was there.

Mary took a very expensive bottle of perfume and poured it on Jesus' feet. She wiped them with her hair, and the sweet smell of the perfume filled the house.

A disciple named Judas Iscariot was there. He was the one who was going to betray Jesus, and he asked, “Why wasn't this perfume sold for 300 silver coins and the money given to the poor?” Judas did not really care about the poor. He asked this because he carried the moneybag and sometimes would steal from it.

John 12:1-6

Judas pretended to be concerned for the poor so he might have another opportunity to steal from the money that would have been intended for the "less fortunate." Caring for poor people is without a doubt a fundamental responsibility of anyone who follows Jesus, but Judas had an ulterior motive. Judas was concerned about lining his own pockets in the process of helping the poor.

You are probably already beginning to think of modern day politicians who trumpet the needs of the poor but are really concerned with their own power and prosperity! And you are right to make such an observation, but don't be too hasty to judge.

I think there is a little bit of Judas in most, if not all of us. We set about to minister to someone who is "poor" but all the while we are looking for the blessings that we can skim from the bag. Now don't misunderstand. Judas was stealing from the money bag and I'm not saying that we are doing that. But like Judas we reach out to others because of what we get in return!

Maybe it is just that you reach out and help someone because you know it will be a good story to tell later. A part of your testimony, you know. Here is a way to test yourself. Bless someone who is in need and tell no one! Let God see it and no one else. Hide the fact that it is you even from the person you bless. Let it be totally between you and God!

"Lord Jesus, I confess that I have sought to minister to others for the blessings that I receive in return, instead of simply doing Your will. Help me today Lord to bless the poor without stealing from the bag! May Your Name be praised forever. Amen."