Be Careful!

 I've been reading through Matthew lately and I was in chapter 26 when I came to verses 6-13  

It says, "6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.  8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. 9 “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”  10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

The Lord stopped me there for a couple of moments, long enough to hear Him say, "Be careful not to criticize other servants."  

Wow, I never really thought of these verses in this context before, but that is exactly what was going on.  And I thought to myself, do I do this?  To I judge anothers focus, time spent or method of serving the Lord?  I am sure I have been guilty of this on occasion.  UGH. 

This woman wasn't told to feed the poor.  She wasn't told to minister to the sick.  She was led my the Holy Spirit to anoint Jesus for His burial.  What other people are called to do for the Lord is His choice and not ours.  

But what an important message God brought to me in these few verses.  I kind of think it goes along with last weeks message on never thinking of our service as insignicant.  We should never look at other's service as less than or wrong in anyway.  That's not our place.  Each of us has a special service to offer our Lord and we need to celebrate and appreciate every work done for Him.

Lord, keep me from ever thinking some one else should be doing something else then You've given them to do.  Help me to encourage, appreciate and acknowledge that each one does and be thankful that they are helping in whatever way You direct.  Let's build each other up!  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.