It is true, we will always have ample opportunity to help the poor for there will always be the poor among us. But, we will not always have ample opportunity to honor God. Perhaps the woman did help the poor. Perhaps, she was poor herself. Whichever the case, she came to extravagantly honor the Lord Jesus Christ. And what did she use in worship but an annointing oil for burial. She had believed what Jesus said about His impending crucifixion while the disciples were still in denial and/or concerned about "everyday" things. The disciples did get the concept that Jesus came to help the poor, the captive, the broken-hearted, but, they just couldn't understand that He came to do His Father's will and what that will was.

We modern disciples are no different. We can get so caught up with trying to solve our social ills that we forget, even deny, Our Lord and His will for us. Honoring Him does include helping the poor, but not exclusively. As you can see about you today, there are many people helping the poor but not honoring their God and Creator. There are not so many who help the poor and honor Our Lord with all their heart, soul and strength by doing His will. Think about it.