The Good LifeSample

This woman had heard Jesus was having dinner in her town, and she couldn’t help but come. Jesus had changed her life. As she stood behind Jesus weeping, she poured perfume on His feet and wiped it with her hair. Simon, the Pharisee and the host of the evening, was not only appalled at what she was doing, but he was also appalled at the fact Jesus was letting her. The woman’s sin was so publicly known that she wore the label of “sinner.” Everyone knew who she was and what she had done. How could Jesus let her touch Him? Jesus used the opportunity to tell a story about two people who were forgiven of debts, but one was forgiven of a far greater one. Jesus said: “Neither of them had the money to pay [the lender] back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven” (Luke 7:42-43). The woman was generous because her love for God was great. And that’s the heart of generosity—love. We will hold what God has given us with an open hand when we are living in God’s great love for us.