Shortly before Jesus would be crucified, He was eating with His disciples when a woman came and anointed His feet with a “very costly perfume” (John 12:3). She made this sacrifice for Jesus, yet she received criticism for it.
Judas said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” (John 12:5). Yet his motive was not sincere. John explained, “Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it” (John 12:7).
In defending her actions, Jesus said, “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me” (John 12:8). In other words, there were plenty of opportunities to help the poor. If Judas was really concerned about that, he could use his own resources to offer assistance rather than portray himself as caring for them with empty words.
It is not enough to make some virtuous claim about what ought to be done. Instead, we simply need to do what should be done.
So remember that actions speak louder than words. Saying that people should be helped is not the same thing as actually helping them. Let us not use empty words to express concern for those who are less fortunate; instead, let us do good as we have the ability and opportunity to do so.