The Sacrifice of Praise

[B-A-C]

Heb 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
Heb 13:16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

I can't help but think of Mary Magdelene here.

John 12:3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
John 12:4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, *said,
John 12:5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?"
John 12:6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.
John 12:7 Therefore Jesus said, "Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial.

This nard perfume was likely the most expensive thing she owned. Some scholars believe it was given by her parents as part of a wedding dowery.
But yet, she broke the bottle... and she "wasted" it on Jesus. According to Judas this could have been sold for 300 denarii ( about a years wages )
In todays economy, it is suggested this would be worth $40,000-$60,000.

How much money did you make last year? Would you "waste" it on Jesus? Now of course this isn't required, and it won't get you into heaven,
but that's not the point. How much would you sacrifice for Jesus? Not because you had to, but because you wanted to. You simply wanted to
honor Jesus. How much do you really love Him? How much money have you "wasted" on other things this year?

Sometimes sacrifice isn't money, but just time and effort... Heb 13:16 above isn't really about money, but more about doing good.
It says this is one of the sacrifices that pleases God.

One thing about Mary's sacrifice, I can imagine the sweet cinnamony, musky smell filling the house. I imagine people smiling when they
first inhaled the first breath of it. Mary's sacrifice didn't only honor Jesus, but it blessed the people around her.

Have we gotten too lazy, too selfish to bless the Lord, and to bless others around us?

 

[Dave M]

Matthew 25:40​

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
cant help but think of a few things in your post. The above scripture comes to mind right away.

I have heard over the years people replies about giving money or even time in a ministry, saying something along the lines of God does not need my money, or the ministry is full they don't need my help. They miss the whole point ,,this is opportunity to please God, they are right God does not need anything from us. but we should feel the need to please him.

The funny thing about giving is God always repays in hundredfold, his word even promises it. We are not really giving anything that is ours, we are simply stewards of Gods money, everything belongs to God and how we steward it will be looked at when the time comes. This should excite us not scare us, well maybe a little healthy fear is good.

another scripture that I love

Malachi 3:10​

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

now I already know what someone is thinking, the tithe that is OT we are not under the law. I see it as another opportunity to please God. BUt also the tithe was done far before the law was even written, a lot people seem to forget Genesis 14