Why this Waste?

"Jesus himself was now in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper. As he was sitting at table, a woman approached him with an alabaster flask of very costly spikenard perfume. She broke the neck of the flask and poured the perfume on Jesus' head. Some of those present were highly indignant and muttered, "What is the point of such wicked waste of perfume? It could have been sold for over thirty pounds and the money could have been given to the poor." And there was a murmur of resentment against her. But Jesus said, "Let her alone, why must you make her feel uncomfortable? She has done a beautiful thing for me. You have the poor with you always and you can do good to them whenever you like, but you will not always have me. She has done all she could - for she has anointed my body in preparation for burial. I assure you that wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the whole world, this deed of hers will also be recounted, as her memorial to me." Mark 14:3-9, JB Phillips

I've been thinking a lot about the poor and those in need, especially in light of events in Haiti and the surge to provide for the poor and oppressed in places such as Africa. However, there are things, even good things, that become more of a trendy thing to do rather than answering a call to go and serve among the poor. I am not sure that some of the trips people are calling "mission" trips really are about mission trips. It's more of a, "man, it would be cool to go to Africa," kind of thing and the next thing you know, they are raising $5,000 to go to Africa for a week. Why not just sent the $5,000 to someone who is already there or some organization that is always there, has been there, and will continue to be there?

I continue to bump into more and more people who are involved in things dealing with Africa, who seem to look down on anyone else who is not. Or they seem to imply that to do ministry in the States is a "waste" compared to doing a mission trip to a third world country. I am for both, and I think that if God has put something on someone's heart, they need to follow it, no matter if it leads to Haiti, China, or to Auburn, Alabama. But, they all are worthy. Nothing is a waste. Neither is a higher calling than another.

When the woman broke the expensive jar of perfume and poured it over the head of Jesus, there were those that were there that muttered, "Why this waste?! It could have been sold and given to the poor." Sometimes, I think we are beginning to think like this as we view different ministries and missions. We should be careful and encourage people wherever they may be serving Christ. To work with rich white kids is no less spiritual than playing soccer with the poor children of Africa. They are both actions of Christ at work through people.

Jesus is always primary, even over trendy movements. The needy are all around us...3000 miles away as well as 3 feet away. They may look or act different but they are there.