Do What You Can!

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

“… as he (Jesus) sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves … And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. … She hath done what she could: …Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” (Mark 14:3-9)

Humanity is obsessed with “the bestest and the mostest.” Humans presume that since man is impressed with self-attaining entertainments that God is equally awe struck and is swayed to favoritism toward those with “the bestest and the mostest.” Bluntly, God isn’t!!! Frankly, it has been my observation “the bestest and the mostest” is a most wretched curse to be avoided, for it reeks of the stench of Satan’s hand. I have seen more curse than blessing in the abundance of this world’s luxuries. The Creator owns it all; what could we ever obtain that we could place before His throne that would be so unique that it could raise an eyebrow of impression? Nothing of this world’s possessions provoke the fancy of God!

Mary did not have much in the way of earthly wealth; but what she possessed was not the object of the Lord’s admiration. It was not what was in her hands, but what was the purpose of Mary’s heart that motivated the heavenly gaze and esteem of the Saviour. Mary used what God in providence placed in her possession for the purpose for which it was bestowed. By grace, by faith she did what she could at the right time in the fulfilling of the work of the Messiah. Not much to some folk, but because she did the right thing at the right time in the right place with a steadfast purpose of heart, Jesus decreed it to be preached as a memorial with the Gospel message forever. It was not the object, but the dedicated heart behind the object that impressed the fancy of the blessed Lord Jesus.

Lest we be lifted up, Jesus said: “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Lk. 17:10) It is only our duty to do all that we can unto the Lord.