Steve Griffiths: The extravagant generosity Jesus celebrates looks like bad stewardship to the world

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:3

“Jesus loved what Mary did [about 2,000 years ago today]. It may have been extravagant. It may have been a bit excessive. It may have been a ‘waste’ of resources. But Jesus loved it! He loved to see Mary give herself so freely and openly over to him.

Jesus rejoiced in her extravagance. And here’s the challenge to us as a church community. Can each one of us show extravagance towards Jesus ourselves?
Jesus has been extravagant and excessive in his love for us by dying on the cross. It is time for us to be extravagant and excessive in return in our love and service of him.”

Rev. Dr. Steve Griffiths of St. Mary’s Linton, Cambridge, UK, from his blogpost: http://www.stmaryslinton.org/node/114

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17

“Wealthy people do not usually appreciate being commanded to do anything! They would rather do the commanding themselves. That is why sometimes churches can be crippled by wealthy people throwing their financial weight around to get their way. Paul challenged Timothy to confront the arrogance and tight-fistedness that can sometimes swallow wealthy Christians.”

Ed Hird in Battle for the Soul of Canada: Raising up the Emerging Generation of Leaders (2006) 81.

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” Jesus in Luke 12:15

“Our greatest sins are economic sins, sins so hidden under respectability and under custom that we are scarcely aware of them.”

Dr. E. Stanley Jones (1884-1973) a Methodist Christian missionary and theologian, in The Way (Abingdon: Nashville, 1946) 222.

So it all went wrong
I started singing that sad, sad song
So convinced that I was on my own
God I know, that you won’t leave
Guess I let it slip my memory
Fast as I could count to 1-2-3-forgetful me

Whoa, here I go again
Why do I forget you’re always faithful
Whoa, how many times have I seen
You give me just what I need
Whoa, here I go again
I forget you’re gonna work it out somehow
You’d think that I’d know by now

Well I’d like to learn to live by faith
As the flowers of the field must say
Worry doesn’t add a single day
Oh God I pray
You’ll help me see
When I’m looking at my history
All the ways you’ve taken care of me
I wanna believe but

Whoa, here I go again
Why do I forget you’re always faithful
Whoa, how many times have I seen
You give me just what I need
Whoa, here I go again
I forget you’re gonna work it out somehow
You’d think that I’d know by now

That you are always in control
I should know by now
That you’re gonna work it out
But this shadow of a doubt wont let me go-o-o-o

Here I go again
Why do I forget you’re always faithful
Whoa, how many times have I seen
You give me just what I need
Whoa, here I go again
I forget you’re gonna work it out somehow
You’re gonna work it out somehow
You’d think that I’d know by now

Josh Wilson: Know By Now YouTube Music Video:

He never thought he cared so much about the minute hand,
Until he started playing for a second chance,
If he could only do it all again,
He’d trade the long nights that he spent behind his desk,
For all he missed, he tells his wife,
I wish that this moment in this room, was not me dying,
But just spending a little time with you

You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance, to find out,
The one thing that you don’t wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride, one try, one life to love.

She never thought she cared so much about those little hands,
That held on tight the day she left, til she was scared to death,
Sitting all alone on a hotel bed, the end of the road,
The sun has set on her big plans, to feel young again,
She picks up the phone, dials the number,
Hears that little voice,
That’s haunted every single mile,
Since she made that choice,

You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance to find out,
The one thing that you don’t wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride, one try, one life to love.

You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance to find out the one thing
That you don’t wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride, one try, one life, one ride,
One try, one life to love, to love.

33 Miles: One Life to Love YouTube Music Video:

I want to hold on ’cause I’m afraid
And I didn’t ask for it to be this way
Somehow I found myself caught in the grey
Reaching out for fear, running out of faith

You know what I don’t, so help me to let go
You’re in control, so help me to let go
I want to let go

I want to let go of what I can’t change
‘Cause I can’t wrap my mind around Your ways
I’ve got more questions than I have answers these days
Please don’t let my suffering go to waste

You know what I don’t, so help me to let go
You’re in control, so help me to let go
I want to let go

These are the moments it’s hard to believe
So please help me, please help me
These are the moments of surrendering
So please help me, please help me

‘Cause you know what I don’t, so help me to let go
You’re in control, so help me to let go
I want to let go

Matt Hammitt: Let go YouTube Music Video:

There was a time I was dead inside.
You’d call my name and I’d try to hide.
My heart was dark and so full of shame, full of shame.
But like the dawning of a brand new day
Your love has chased my shame away.
How amazing, now to hear You singing over me!
Over me!

Loudly, I sing, loudly, I live, giving You all I have to give,
Until the world knows the Love that’s made me so alive
I’m alive, I’m alive!

Well, every day I find Your mercy new.
And every moment that I spend with You
I am overwhelmed by Grace I can’t keep to myself!
To myself!

Loudly, I sing, loudly, I live, giving You all I have to give
Until the world knows the Love that’s made me so alive
I’m alive, I’m alive!

Loudly, I sing, loudly, I live, giving You all I have to give
Until the world knows the Love that’s made me so alive
I’m alive, I’m alive!

Out of my sorrow, out of my night,
You called me into Glorious Light.
Where all of the lost, lonely and broken
Find Your Light. Shine Your Light.

Loudly, I sing, loudly, I live, giving You all I have to give,
Until the world knows the Love that’s made me so alive
I’m alive

Loudly, I sing, loudly, I live, giving You all I have to give,
Until the world knows the Love that’s made me so alive
I’m alive, I’m alive! Yeah,
I’m alive, I’m alive, yeah!

Pocket Full of Rocks: Alive YouTube Music Video:

All work no play may have made Jack a dull boy
But all work no God has left Jack with a lost soul
But he’s moving on full steam
He’s chasing the American dream
And he’s gonna give his family the finer things

Not this time son I’ve no time to waste
Maybe tomorrow we’ll have time to play
And then he slips into his new BMW
And drives farther and farther and farther away

So He works all day and tries to sleep at night
He says things will get better; better in time

And he works and he builds with his own two hands
And he pours all he has in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are comin’ crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

His American Dream is beginning to seem
More and more like a nightmare
With every passing day
“Daddy, can you come to my game?”
“Oh Baby, please don’t work late.”
Another wasted weekend
And they are slipping away

‘Cause he works all day and lies awake at night
He tells them things will get better
It’ll just take a little more time

He used to say, “Whoever dies with the most toys wins”
But if he loses his soul, what has he gained in the end
I’ll take a shack on the rock, over a castle in the sand
Now he works all day and cries alone at night
It’s not getting any better; looks like he’s running out of time
‘Cause he worked and he built with his own two hands
And he poured all he had in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are coming crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

All they really wanted was You
All they really wanted was You
All they really wanted was You

Casting Crowns: American Dream YouTube Music Video:

I’ve held on for all this time
To something that was never mine
I’ve kept Your love like there was none to spare
I’ve heard the call and seen the need
But I’ve been lost in apathy
When did I get to comfortable to care?
The world is crying out
So hungry for a change
Lord, let us be the ones to say

Take my heart, Lord I pray
That I can give it all away
Let me give it all away
Cause I long to feel compassion
For a world that needs Your grace
Take my heart
I want to give it all away

You have filled this empty soul
With mercy that has overflowed
The way You give to me seems so unfair
So here is my life it’s all for the one
Who gave it all in the name of love
Now this hope You give to me
I’ve got to share
The world is crying out
So hungry for a change
Lord, let us be the ones to say

Take my heart, Lord, I pray
That I can give it all away
Let me give it all away
Cause I long to feel compassion
For a world that needs Your grace
Take my heart
I want to give it all away

Let us be the change
Let us be Your light
Let us be Your hope
And let us give it all away
Let us be the change
Let us be Your light
Let us be Your hope
I want to give it all…

So, take my heart, Lord, I pray
That I can give it all away
Let me give it all away
Cause I long to feel compassion
For a world that needs Your grace

Take my heart
I want to give it all away
Take my heart
I want to give it all away
Take my heart
I want to give…
I’ve held on for all this time
To something that was never mine

Sidewalk Prophets: Give it all away! YouTube Music Video:

When the darkness settles in
And the world caves in all around me
You’re all I need
When my life becomes so easy
And I have everything I’ve ever dreamed
You’re all I need

And now I am finally home inside your love
And the hope I have in You is more than enough
And with all You’ve done my heart is finally free
‘Cause You’re all I need
You’re all I need

When my heart is in despair
And there’s no one left that cares for me
You’re all I need
When my days are all complete
And I’m met with things I’ve never seen
You’re all I need

I lift up my hands and give You it all
My life, my heart, my hope it’s all Yours

Revive: You’re all I need YouTube Music Video: