3 Day Devotional: A Call to Benevolence: Worship, Not Waste - Day 2

Day 2 — Benevolence Misunderstood

Scripture: Matthew 26:8–11 (NIV)
8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked.
9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.”

Reflection:
As the woman poured out her perfume on Jesus, the disciples became upset. They called it a waste and argued that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But they missed the point. The perfume didn’t belong to them, and it wasn’t theirs to give away. They were trying to manage someone else’s offering instead of recognizing the worship that was taking place right in front of them.

That’s where benevolence is often misunderstood — when we confuse another person’s act of devotion with waste simply because it doesn’t fit our expectations. The disciples thought they were being practical, but in reality, they were being presumptuous. They saw expense; Jesus saw expression. They saw cost; Jesus saw care.

Then Jesus corrected them. He said, “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.” He wasn’t dismissing the poor — He was reminding them of their ongoing responsibility. His words echo Deuteronomy 15:11:

“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”

Jesus was teaching that benevolence and worship are not in competition. We are called to care for the poor and to honor the Savior. True benevolence flows from worship, and true worship naturally produces compassion.

Personal Reflection Questions:
1.Have I ever focused on someone else’s giving instead of my own obedience to God?
2.How does Jesus’ correction reshape the way I think about generosity and responsibility?
3.What does it look like for me to let worship fuel my compassion this week?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me not to judge another person’s generosity or offering. Teach me to see through Your eyes — to recognize beauty where others see waste, and worship where others see cost. May my devotion to You always lead me to love and serve others. Amen.