GRATEFULNESS & APPRECIATION

“And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” Mark 14:3-9
Many of us cannot preach or teach or become missionaries but we can still do something for the Lord. The woman with the alabaster box could not do any of the things mentioned but yet Jesus said that she had done what she could by thanking Him the way she did. Timely appreciation is very important especially in relation to the wonderful things God does for us. When you meet people who are not grateful, you get a bad feeling. Do not become someone who is ungrateful for what is done in your life.
Sometimes, we do not appreciate people until they are dead and gone. What is the point of appreciating such a person when they are gone?  Why not appreciate them while they are alive and can receive your thanks? We must learn to appreciate people in time. In the church, God gives us shepherds and pastors. We must learn to appreciate them properly and with something precious! Realize that in the Bible, Judas believed that the oil was wasted on Jesus! It is only a Judas who will not appreciate or want their pastor to be appreciated. Many men of God are criticized when anything good is done for them. Learn to appreciate you pastor in private and in public. If you do not celebrate and honor those placed in your life, you will also never be honored.
It is the duty of people who are taught to appreciate the people who are teaching them. Galatians 6:6 says that “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things”. If somebody ministers to you it is your duty to bless them. This is not me speaking but the Bible tells us what is our rightful duty. Through your prophet prosperity will come to you (Hosea 12:13). You will go higher as you listen to the prophet that God has given to you. Naaman the Syrian was healed by the prophet. A prophet is an agent of healing, prosperity, salvation, breakthroughs, abundance and all the good things God has for you. You will never miss your blessing if you honor him. I see us all honoring our pastors and shepherds.
Blessings!