When Worship Looks Like Waste

In the Gospels, there’s a moment that still confronts the modern church.

A woman comes to Jesus carrying an alabaster jar filled with pure nard—fragrance worth a year’s wages. Without hesitation, she breaks it open and pours it on Him. Jesus tells us plainly what she’s doing: she is preparing His body for burial.

And immediately, the critics speak up.

Judas calls it waste. Others echo the sentiment. “This could have been sold. This could have helped the poor. This is excessive.”

But heaven didn’t call it waste.

Jesus called it beautiful.

“She has done a beautiful thing to Me… She did what she could.” (Mark 14:6, 8)

The Voice of Judas Still Speaks

Today, the spirit of that accusation hasn’t gone anywhere.

Whenever someone gives themselves fully to God—time, affection, attention, devotion—there’s often a voice that says, “That’s too much.”

• Too much prayer.

• Too much worship.

• Too much time alone with God.

• You’re neglecting balance.

• You’re being extreme.

But what Judas labeled as imbalance, Jesus labeled as love rightly ordered.

The issue was never the fragrance.

The issue was the heart.

Rethinking Balance

We love the word balance—but most of the time, we really mean moderation.

And moderation isn’t the same as obedience.

Balance doesn’t mean everything in equal portions. Balance means everything in its proper weight.

There are areas of life God calls us to steward wisely—our health, our responsibilities, our relationships. But there are other areas where God invites us to be extravagant, undignified, and even misunderstood.

Worship is one of them.

Love is another.

Some Things Deserve the Alabaster Jar

The woman didn’t pour out perfume on a hobby.

She poured it out on Jesus.

She understood something Judas didn’t:

There are moments you don’t save for later.

She went extreme because the moment was sacred.

There is moderation in how we manage daily life.

But there is no moderation when it comes to loving Jesus with all your heart.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

“All” is not moderate.

When Intimacy Looks Unproductive

Time alone with God will always look unproductive to people who don’t understand intimacy.

Mary chose the better portion.

David danced until dignity fell off.

The woman poured out a year’s wages in one moment.

None of them were efficient.

All of them were faithful.

The fragrance filled the room—and Jesus said it would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached.

What Are You Willing to Be Misunderstood For?

The truth is, you can live a well-managed life and never pour out anything costly.

Or you can live a balanced life where some areas are wisely stewarded—and others are poured out without restraint because Jesus is worthy.

Let people call it waste.

Let them misunderstand your devotion.

Let the room be filled with fragrance.

Jesus still defends extravagant worship.

And He always will.