Do Not Condemn the Good Deeds of Others

Note from today’s Bible reading: Matthew 26

Not long before His crucifixion, Jesus was in Bethany when “a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table” (Matthew 26:7). This was a great sacrifice on her part and demonstrated her faith in Jesus.

However, the disciples were “indignant” over this because of the “waste” of this costly perfume (Matthew 26:8). They suggested that it “might have been sold…and the money given to the poor” (Matthew 26:9).

Yet Jesus defended this woman and her “good deed” (Matthew 26:10). If the disciples were really concerned about the poor, they could help the poor; but this woman did this to “prepare [Jesus] for burial” (Matthew 26:12). Rather than condemn her, they should have appreciated the good that she did and been motivated by her example to do whatever good deeds they could do.

It is easy to second-guess the actions of others. Even when they do good, we are often tempted to be judgmental because we think they should have done something else instead. This example shows that it is not our place to stand in judgment of others in the good that they do.

So do not condemn the good deeds of others. Instead, if they do something commendable, show appreciation for that. If we see some other good work that could have been done, we ought to see how we could do that rather than condemn someone else for not doing it.