Servant to Critic Ratio

Mark 14.3-9 records the woman pouring VERY expensive perfume on Jesus' head. Immediately some of the people present said indignantly to one another how wasteful this act was and how the perfume could have been sold for more than a year's wages and given to the poor.

They were rebuking this woman harshly when Jesus steps in on the woman's, the servant's, behalf. Jesus tells them to leave her alone. Jesus then questions their motives asking them why they are bothering the woman. Jesus then validates her service by saying she has done a beautiful thing to Him.

This event leaves me wondering what the servant to critic ratio was when this happened. It would seem to be at least 1 to 5 or even 1 to 10. That is one servant for 5 or 10 critics to feed. I think each of us need to serve in such a way as to support at least 5 or 10 critics with our service. You know, just to at least give some of the the other servants a break. I would go so far to say if I don't have a band of 5 to 10 critics telling me how much more effective or efficient my service could be rendered, it must be because I am not serving.

A lot of servants will be tempted under such criticism to throw up their hands in disgust or despair and quit serving. Satan is hoping for just such a victory in our lives. Don't give in, just keep serving. Keep serving despite the criticism, keep serving despite the discouragement, keep serving despite Satan. Besides, who knows how much relief you are giving to another servant by simply occupying their would be critic.