64: Mary of Bethany and the Virtue of Magnificence

Alastair, a biblical theologian and Susannah’s husband, examines the story of Mary of Bethany’s anointing of Jesus’ feet before Holy Week as a powerful image of what our relationship with money in the Kingdom ought to be. It’s not that prudence and careful management are bad things. They are very good. But overflowing generosity, the Christian version of the Classical virtue of magnificence, is the most proper response to Christ’s own overflowing generosity. They then discuss the life of the late Tim Keller as an example of this generous investment of time, talent and treasure in the kingdom.