A Giving Spirit Like Mary: What It Means to Give Your Best to Jesus

A Special Dinner for Jesus

John 12 tells about a special dinner. It happens in Bethany. Jesus comes to eat with His friends. Lazarus is there. Jesus raised him from the dead in John 11. Now Lazarus sits at the table with Him (John 12:1–2). That alone is a big miracle.

Martha serves the food. She likes to help. She uses her hands to show love. Mary is there too. She does something very bold and very kind. She shows a giving spirit like Mary.

Mary brings a pound of “very costly perfume of pure nard” (John 12:3). This perfume comes from far away. It costs a lot of money. Judas says it is worth three hundred denarii, about a year of pay (John 12:5). Many families would keep this kind of perfume for many years. It may have come from her mother or grandmother.

Mary Pours Out a Costly Gift

Mary could have used a small amount. She could have saved most of it. Instead, she pours it all on Jesus. She anoints His head and His feet. She even wipes His feet with her hair. The Bible says, “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3). Everyone can smell it.

This act does not come from a quick thought. Mary has spent time with Jesus. In Luke 10, she sat at His feet to listen. In John 11, she fell at His feet to cry. Now in John 12, she falls at His feet to give. Her love is strong because she knows Him well. A giving spirit like Mary grows out of a close walk with Jesus.

Jesus says she has done this for His burial (Mark 14:8). He knows He will die soon on the cross. Mary may not know every detail. But she feels the time is short. She wants to give her best to Him now.

Some People Do Not Understand

Not everyone is happy with Mary. Judas speaks up. He asks, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” (John 12:5). Some others agree with him. They say the gift is a waste.

The Bible tells us that Judas does not really care about the poor (John 12:6). He steals money from the money box. He wants the money for himself. Sometimes, when you give a big gift to Jesus, people may not understand. They may call it foolish. They may say, “You should use that time or money for something else.”

Jesus defends Mary. He says, “Let her alone… she has done what she could” (Mark 14:6, 8). He even says people will talk about her gift wherever the good news is told (Mark 14:9). God sees and remembers real love.

A Giving Spirit Like Mary Today

You may not have a jar of costly perfume. But you do have things that matter to you. You have time. You have gifts and skills. Jesus cares how you use these things.

A giving spirit like Mary means you bring your best to Jesus. You do not give Him only what you do not want. You give Him what costs you something.

With money, you can give to God first, not last. You can give to your church. You can help people in need. The Bible says to honor the Lord with your firstfruits (Proverbs 3:9–10). That means you plan to give, not just give what is left.

With time, you can serve others. You can help at church, talk to someone who is lonely, and pray for friends and family. You can use your gifts for God. A giving spirit like Mary shows up in quiet acts that no one else may see.

What Is Your “Perfume”?

Every person has a kind of “perfume.” It is the most special thing in your life. It might be a dream job, a talent, or a hobby. Sometimes God asks, “Will you give this to Me? Will you trust Me with it?”

Romans 12:1 says we should offer our bodies as a “living and holy sacrifice.” That means our whole life belongs to Jesus. We say, “Lord, You can lead my steps. You can guide my plans. I will follow You.”

Mary’s gift points to Jesus’ gift. She poured out perfume. He poured out His blood. He died on the cross to take away our sin, and rose again to give us new life. When we understand His gift, our hearts want to give back.

Your house may not fill with the smell of perfume. But when you love and give like Mary, your life fills with the sweet smell of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15). People see your joy. They feel your kindness. They hear about your Savior. In this way, a giving spirit like Mary helps the whole world see how wonderful Jesus is.

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