We may be sure that the ears of Jesus were never closed to human need, but poverty cannot be eliminated in the days when mortals earn their bread by "sweat of face." The giving of alms affords some relief, but on occasion may do harm; indiscriminate giving on a large scale has been known to demoralize a district; in any case it provides no permanent cure for the problem of poverty. There are times when great issues demand all the resources, with which even the claims of poor and needy may not interfere. Such an occasion produced the loving gift of Mary. Only then had she the opportunity to anoint the Lord; and the opportunity knew no return.

John Carter, The Gospel of John, page 134