Priorities

John 12

Jesus Anointed at Bethany
1Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.[b]" 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

This scripture says alot to me. What I really see in it though is priorities. It is one of my passions to go out and help as many people as I can. To help everyone that I meet who is in need, to tutor my friends, to offer advise and always always just love everyone. These are things that are included in living a Christian lifestyle and just part of me. All good things, but acts alone, even good and wonderful godly acts alone are still acts.

Also, this is not the first commandment. The first commandment is honor God. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and sometimes I know I forget that God is with me, that I need to keep him first in my life, not the idea of him, but actually him. To take time everyday to be quiet with him, to pray, to calm my soul and let him in on my life. To worship him, to praise him, to "waste my valuable" whatever it may be. Time perhaps. Mary is ridiculed by Judas for using a bottle of valuable perfume to anoint Jesus. Now Jesus may not be physically next to me to anoint with oil but I do not doubt the presence of God in my life and there are things of value that I posses that could be used in praising God.

We will very likely always have poor, and not to say we should not work for social justice, economic justice, or just a better world, however if you are not Christ centered we are going to fail. We are human and can not save the world alone. Only together with God (and hey, why not fellow believers and everyone you can get to help) can we help world hunger and make the world a better place.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ ~Erin