They couldn’t believe what they were seeing, but what they heard was even more unbelievable. The words of commendation stunned and silenced the whole crowd. They concluded that the woman had acted carelessly. She was wasting precious time and money, they thought. But the One whose estimation matters the most applauded her with six little words that speak volumes: “She has done what she could” (Mark 14:8a).

This was the humble woman, Mary, who poured an expensive alabaster flask of ointment upon the head of the Lord Jesus, while He ate dinner at the house of Simon the leper (Matt. 26:6-13; John 12:1-8). Bystanders angrily criticized her, saying, “Why was this ointment wasted like this? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor” (Mark 14:4-5a). Indeed, it seemed like she was pouring money down the drain, since the flask was worth more than three-hundred days’ wages. Nevertheless, Jesus was worth more to Mary than all the world’s silver or gold. And more importantly, Jesus didn’t think it was a waste—and He commended Mary for giving her very best to Him. 

And thus, Mary joined the hall of biblical heroes and heroines who gave their all to the Lord, whether it was much or little. She joined the ranks of ancient saints like the widow woman from Zarephath, who gave God her last fistful of flour and tablespoon of oil (1 Kings 17:8-16). She gave what she could, like the young lad who gave Jesus his sack lunch, so He could multiply it (John 6:6-14). She offered everything she had to Jesus, just as the “anonymous donor” in the Gospels gave Jesus a donkey for transportation and an upper room free of charge (Mark 11:3-6; 14:13-16). She gave her best to Christ, just like Nympha who donated her house to the Lord, and Barnabas who gave the proceeds of his fields to the church (Col. 4:15; Acts 4:36-37).

When you give your all to the Lord, whether it is great or small, it is always pleasing in His sight. And this is because the Lord values quality over quantity. He measures the sincerity and generosity of your heart, not the sum or size of your offerings. Even the smallest act of sacrifice is significant in His eyes, as it reflects your love for Him. He sees and knows, dear believer: “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love” (Psalm 33:18; cf. Heb. 6:10). Will you join the ranks of faithful saints who gave their all to the Lord, no matter how great or small it was?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky. 

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word: