Extravagant Worship: Pouring Out Our Hearts to God

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!” (Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 3:1). We have been shown mercy – not getting what we deserve (eternal punishment), and grace – getting what we don't deserve (eternal life). Jesus gave His all for us; can we offer Him anything less?

The Pattern of Extravagant Love

The gospels record different accounts of women pouring out a precious and costly perfume in an extravagant act of worship. The first is during Jesus' ministry in Galilee and He uses this as a lesson on forgiveness and love (Lk 7:36-50). The other accounts relate to two other instances during the week of Passover and are linked with His imminent death and burial (Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9; Jn 12:1-8). Each of these women recognized Christ's unequaled value and expressed their gratitude with unreserved love and devotion, although they (like us) did not fully comprehend the significance of the Master.

Jesus taught that loving Him must take precedence over all earthly relationships and attachments. He declared, "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Mt 10:37). Elsewhere He used even stronger language: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple" (Lk 14:26).

Do I love God above all?

This is not a command to hate our families, but rather an expression meaning that our love for Christ must so far exceed our love for others that all other loves appear as hatred by comparison.

When we truly understand who God is and what He has done for us, loving Him above all else becomes the natural response of a grateful heart. The command to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mk 12:30) is not burdensome but liberating—because He is infinitely worthy of our complete devotion. Anything less than wholehearted love fails to acknowledge His supreme value and the extravagant grace He has poured out upon us.

Is Christ my first love?

Since we have been forgiven an eternal debt for our sin, one that we can never repay, shouldn't we be extravagant in our love and devotion to the Saviour? Such affection and gratitude is practically out-worked in blessing humanity; not so much to those who can reciprocate, rather to those who can't repay (Lk 14:12-14).

“Freely you have received, freely give” (Mt 10:8). We are to pass on to others the blessings we have received. Going the ‘second mile’ is a costly exercise, it is doing more than is expected or the norm but it's what Christ did (Mt 5:41; Act 2:44-45; 2 Cor 8:1-4). It's not the magnitude of the gift or the undertaking but the size of the heart attitude it represents that will truly bless (Lk 21:1-4).

Is my love for Jesus overflowing?

The Call to Generous Giving

God challenged the Israelites, "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need" (Mal 3:10). Extravagant giving exceeds what is expected, exceeds what is affordable, and exceeds what is needed.

The Bible declares, "He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us" (Eph 3:20). God's ability and capacity to give far exceeds our asking or visualising. No matter how extravagant we make our requests, God in His matchless power can give us more than we ask, and far beyond what our finite minds can imagine. What a great God we have!

Do I trust God's abundance?

The Overflow of Gratitude

When we truly grasp the depth of God's love for us, our hearts naturally overflow with gratitude. This gratitude transforms our worship, our relationships, and our stewardship. Just as the women in the gospels poured out their perfume as an expression of love, we are called to pour out our lives in devotion to Christ. This extravagance isn't measured by material wealth but by the willingness to give our all, holding nothing back from the One who gave everything for us.

The fragrance of extravagant worship lingers long after the act is complete. It touches the hearts of those who witness it and inspires others to deeper devotion. May our lives be a fragrant offering, poured out at the feet of Jesus, reflecting the extravagant love He has poured out upon us.

Am I living a life of worship?

Reflection and Application:

Consider areas where you can be more extravagant in your devotion to God.
Reflect on how you can bless others who cannot repay you.
Examine your heart attitude when giving or serving.
Ask God to show you new ways to express your gratitude.

See also: generosity, greed, pride, wealth.