Give Your Best to the Lord

Today's Reading:

📖 Scripture

“And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.’ But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.’”
— Matthew 26:6–13 (NKJV)

Observation

Jesus was in Bethany, at the house of Simon the leper, when a woman came and poured a very costly fragrant oil on His head as an act of worship.

The disciples criticized her for what they thought was a waste, but Jesus defended her and revealed that her act was a preparation for His burial.

Her devotion was genuine, extravagant, and unforgettable — an example of giving her best to the Lord.

Let us also give excellency to God in everything we do. Whether in ministry, work, or service, He deserves our very best, not leftovers or half-hearted effort.

We should also remind those who serve in God’s work not to complain or compare their tasks with others. True service flows from love, not comparison or competition. The woman’s focus was on Jesus alone, not on what others were doing or saying.

Application

We are called to worship and serve Jesus with wholehearted devotion. Just like the woman, we must be willing to give our best, even when others do not understand or appreciate it.
Let our actions speak of excellence, gratitude, and love for the Lord.
When we give our best for God, we honor Him. When we complain or compare, we lose sight of whom we are truly serving.
As a body of Christ, we must encourage one another to serve joyfully and excellently, knowing that our reward comes from God, not from people.

🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching us through this woman’s example what it means to love and serve You with excellence. Forgive us for the times we complain or compare our service with others. Help us to give You our best in all that we do — not for recognition, but out of pure love for You. May our service and devotion be a pleasing fragrance to You. In Your name, Amen.