Who is the smartest?

Disciples of Jesus often asked, Who is the greatest? 

However, we have not heard about an argument among the disciples: who is the smartest? 

You may disagree with me on this, but I think all the disciples agreed that Judas was the smartest. 

These are my reasons. 

Reason #1. Who handles the most money in the market? Are they not smartest? 

Of course, this reasoning is not strong enough but plausible. 

Reason #2. When Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet, Judas protested:

 12:5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?

We know that his statement was not for the poor but for the loss of his opportunity for stealing. 

However, his statement was based on the teaching of Jesus, and he was very smart to use Jesus' own word to make his claim.

Jesus commanded the rich young man, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor.". 

Just like the serpent used the word of God and enticed Eve, here Judas also used the same strategy to make his statement.

What I want to focus on in this statement is not the intelligence of Judas, but Jesus reply: 

7 "Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, [c], but you will not always have me.”

You, Judas, are right that you should sell this perfume and give to the poor. However, Mary's perfume was not wasted because it was for the burial of the most holy Man of God. Your opportunity to give to the poor will always be with you, so don't be disappointed. This is not just a word spoken to Judas but to you and me. Sell your possessions and give to the poor; Jesus never claimed Judas was wrong. 

The lessons of the day

1. Danger of being smart: As you all know the destiny of Judas, being smart doubles, if not quadruples, the chance of corruption. Let us not rejoice because we are smart, rich, or famous. Instead, we need to humbly serve the poor with our gift from God. 

2. Instead of hoarding and investing for our future, we need to sell our possessions and give to the poor, which is equal to Matthew 6.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Everyone knows about the Lord's prayer, and yet people don't remember what Jesus said before and after this prayer. 

Here is my question: Without giving to the poor, will God listen to our prayers?

I doubt it. 

This is the season of giving. Please find out the poor among you and give to them. 

Blessings,