And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, Why was this fragrant oil wasted? (Mark 14:3-4, NKJV)
 
Jesus sat in Simon's house in Bethany, where this woman came in and poured out her very expensive perfume, worth a year's wages, on Jesus' head. This simple act sparked interesting reactions from two parties who were present at the feast - Jesus and the rest of the people. The people responded to her with strong displeasure, anger and scorn. They thought the perfume was too expensive to be consumed on Jesus in such a lavish manner. They considered what she did a "waste"; they thought it would've been put to better use if she'd sold it and given the money to the poor. They esteemed the value of the perfume (a created thing), greater than that of Jesus (the creator). For this reason, they declared it a waste and criticised her sharply. 
 
Jesus, however, had a rather contradictory reaction to this woman's actions. He said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me...". Jesus knew that because the woman understood His worth, she didn't hesitate to spend such a valuable possession on Him. Hence, He thought the woman's action was a highly commendable expression of worship indicative if her yieldedness to the spirit of God, such that the impact and memory of her act of service for Him should endure forever (Mark 14:5-9). Moreover, although Jesus cared about the poor, submission and service to His Lordship are greater in priority than service to the poor. We must first give our hearts over to Jesus so that He might birth in it a genuine, Spirit-empowered and enduring passion for service to the poor. We must put the creator first before any created thing.
 
People called it a waste, but Jesus called it "a good work" - good, not by man's standards but by God's. Isn't it interesting how your actions can be viewed differently by people and by God? The people's perspective was carnal, but Jesus' and that of the woman were spiritual. When you begin to seek the Lord, know Him and do His will more, be prepared. You might be criticised by the carnally minded, by those who do not genuinely hunger and thirst for Him in their hearts like you do.
 
When you demonstrate more love and commitment towards God and the things of His kingdom and find yourself shamelessly expending your energy, time and material resources on Him and His kingdom, it may look like a waste to those who do not esteem Jesus highly in their hearts, but God understands that you do so because you value Him more than those things.
 
Nothing you are or possess is too expensive for Jesus to have, and nothing you do to or for Him is a waste if it's done in faith. Therefore, don't be afraid to pour out your best-more of your love, your strength, your praise, your worship, your time, your money, material possessions and your life on Jesus. Even if those around you criticise you sharply and call it a waste, understand that God sees it as a 'good work' and rather praises you for it. The one for whom you are doing it is the highest, the greatest and most worthy of all. 

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