"What does biblical devotion to Christ look like?" Mary's expensive ointment is a cost that was radical. Luke 14 talks about counting the cost of discipleship, and teaches us that a radical devotion to God is required by all Christ followers. Financial and material investment in Kingdom work is one of the best discipleship strategies to orient our hearts to our God (Mt. 6:21) and unlock the faithful, joyful, and radical generosity in which a Christ follower can participate. Devotion to Christ is not just a necessity; this is how we unlock the true benefits of being a Jesus follower. When people say, "I've tried church/Christianity, and it didn't do much for me," it's because they haven't experienced full devotion to Christ. When we are not fully devoted to Jesus, we won't fully experience his power and his glory and his grace. But when we, like Mary, devote to him completely, we will experience a new and abundant life that Jesus promised earlier in the Book of John.