In Matthew 26:11, Jesus says, “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.” At first glance, it might sound like He’s downplaying charity—but He’s not. Jesus deeply valued caring for the poor throughout His ministry. In this moment, though, He was just days away from the cross, and the woman who anointed Him with expensive perfume recognized the urgency and significance of that moment. Her act of worship wasn’t wasteful—it was timely, personal, and deeply honoring to Jesus.
This story reminds us that while charity is vital, some moments of worship are sacred and can’t be postponed. Worship and compassion aren’t opposites—they fuel each other. When you see Jesus clearly and respond with wholehearted devotion, generosity becomes a natural overflow. Want to understand how this applies to your life today and why Jesus called her act “beautiful”? Keep reading for a deeper dive into the meaning behind Matthew 26:11.
“The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.” — Matthew 26:11 (NIV)
That verse has caused a lot of confusion over the years. At first glance, it sounds like Jesus is saying helping the poor isn’t as important as worship. But that’s not the full picture. To understand what Jesus really meant in Matthew 26:11, we need to look at the context, the intent, and how worship and charity actually work together.
Let’s unpack why Jesus said what He did—and what it means for you today.
1. The Context: What’s Happening in Matthew 26?
The scene takes place just days before Jesus is arrested and crucified. He’s in Bethany, at the home of Simon the Leper, when a woman comes in with an expensive alabaster jar of perfume and pours it on His head.
The disciples are shocked.
“Why this waste?” they ask. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
— Matthew 26:8-9 (NIV)
It seems like a good point. Why not take the money and help those in need?
But Jesus defends the woman’s actions. He says she’s done a beautiful thing. Then He adds something surprising:
“The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.”
— Matthew 26:11
2. Jesus Isn’t Dismissing Charity
Let’s be clear: Jesus never said helping the poor wasn’t important.
In fact, He taught the exact opposite:
- In Matthew 25:40, He says helping the poor is like serving Him directly:
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
- In Luke 4:18, Jesus opens His ministry by quoting Isaiah, saying He was sent to “proclaim good news to the poor.”
- In Mark 10:21, He tells the rich young ruler to “sell everything you have and give to the poor.”
So, Jesus didn’t ignore the poor. He prioritized them often. But here, in this specific moment, something greater was happening.
3. Why This Moment Was Different
The difference here is timing and purpose. Jesus was just days away from being crucified. The woman recognized this and responded with costly, sacrificial worship.
Jesus even says:
“When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.”
— Matthew 26:12
This wasn’t just perfume. It was an act of deep love, honor, and spiritual insight. She gave what she could while she still had the chance. That’s the key.
Here’s What Jesus Is Saying:
- “You’ll always have opportunities to help the poor.”
Charity is ongoing. There will always be chances to give. - “But you won’t always have this moment to worship me like this.”
Worship can’t be postponed when the moment is sacred.
4. Worship vs. Charity: What’s the Priority?
You don’t have to choose one or the other. Worship and charity go hand in hand. But sometimes, a moment calls for one over the other.
Think of It Like This:
- Charity is giving to others in need.
- Worship is giving to God what He’s worth.
Jesus isn’t saying, “Ignore the poor.” He’s saying, “Don’t miss the sacred when it’s right in front of you.”
Key Insight: Charity flows best from a heart that’s already worshiping.
If you try to serve others without honoring God first, your motivation can dry up. But if you worship first—truly see who Jesus is—your compassion will grow, not shrink.
5. The Woman’s Act of Worship: What Made It Special?
Her act wasn’t logical. It was emotional, spiritual, and costly.
She did three important things:
- She saw who Jesus really was.
She recognized He was the Messiah, and that His time was short. - She acted while she could.
She didn’t wait. She didn’t calculate. She responded immediately. - She gave her best.
The perfume was worth about 300 denarii—a year’s wages (Mark 14:5). That’s like pouring out $50,000 in today’s terms.
Jesus honored her because she valued Him above everything else. That’s what worship looks like—responding to Jesus’ worth in the moment you’re given.
6. What This Means for You Today
So what can you take away from this?
1. Don’t Miss the Moment
Sometimes, you’ll be pulled between doing something good (like giving to the poor) and something holy (like worshiping or obeying Jesus in a specific moment).
You need both—but some moments can’t be repeated. If God is calling you to act, respond now.
2. Worship Fuels True Compassion
Charity without worship can become duty. But when you worship—really see Jesus—your giving becomes joyful, not burdensome.
Worship isn’t just singing songs on Sunday. It’s pouring out your best for Jesus, in whatever form that takes.
3. Be Generous—but Be Present
You can always give money later. But some moments—like praying with someone, showing honor, or sitting at Jesus’ feet—can’t be postponed.
Jesus was saying: “I’m here. Right now. Don’t miss this.”
7. Final Thoughts: Worship Is Never a Waste
To the disciples, the woman’s worship looked like waste.
To Jesus, it was the most valuable thing happening in that house.
It’s easy to think worship is less practical than charity. But in Jesus’ eyes, true worship is the foundation for everything else. It puts Him in His rightful place—and everything else flows from that.
So, next time you’re torn between doing something that feels useful and something that honors God—pause. Ask:
“Is this one of those moments where Jesus is inviting me to pour something out just for Him?”
If the answer is yes—go for it. You won’t regret it.
Quick Recap
- Matthew 26:11 isn’t dismissing the poor—it’s highlighting the importance of worship in the moment.
- Jesus knew His time on earth was short. The woman saw that and responded with bold, timely worship.
- Worship and charity both matter—but worship often fuels deeper, more meaningful charity.
- Don’t miss sacred moments. Be generous, but also be present when God is moving.
“True worship will always lead to true compassion. But worship can’t wait. Charity can.”
If this helped clarify Matthew 26:11 for you, consider studying the full chapter and reflecting on how Jesus received worship and prepared for the cross. There’s always more to see when you slow down and look closely.
Let worship lead your life—and your generosity will follow.
FAQs: Why Jesus Prioritized Worship in the Moment Over Charity in Matthew 26:11
1. What does Jesus mean by “The poor you will always have with you” in Matthew 26:11?
Jesus is pointing out that opportunities to help the poor will always be available, but His physical presence on earth was temporary. In this specific moment, honoring Him through worship took precedence.
2. Is Jesus saying charity isn’t important in Matthew 26:11?
No. Jesus consistently taught that caring for the poor is essential. In this passage, He isn’t devaluing charity—He’s emphasizing the unique, time-sensitive opportunity to worship Him before His death.
3. Why did Jesus praise the woman who anointed Him instead of siding with the disciples?
Because her act was worshipful, timely, and sacrificial. She recognized the significance of the moment and responded with devotion, preparing Jesus for burial in a deeply meaningful way.
4. How is worship different from charity in this context?
Worship is honoring and giving to God; charity is serving others in His name. Jesus prioritized worship in this moment because it acknowledged who He was and what was about to happen.
5. Is it wrong to spend money on worship when the poor are in need?
Not inherently. Worship and generosity aren’t opposites. Jesus affirmed that extravagant worship, when done with the right heart and timing, is not wasteful but beautiful.
6. Does this mean we should choose worship over charity in every case?
No. Jesus isn’t creating a permanent hierarchy—He’s teaching that some moments require focused worship. Both worship and charity matter; context determines the priority.
7. What made the woman’s worship so special in Matthew 26?
She gave her best (a perfume worth a year’s wages), acted while she had the chance, and spiritually understood what was coming—Jesus’ death. That made her worship deeply significant.
8. How does this story teach us to live today?
It challenges you to recognize sacred moments and respond immediately. Worshiping Jesus wholeheartedly—especially in moments that can’t be repeated—should never be delayed.
9. Can worship and charity work together?
Absolutely. True worship leads to compassion, and heartfelt charity flows from a deep relationship with Jesus. One fuels the other when both are rooted in love for Him.
10. Why did Jesus prioritize worship over charity in this moment?
Because the moment was unique—He was about to die. The woman’s act was in perfect alignment with what God was doing. It honored Jesus before His sacrifice in a way that charity alone could not.
