Matthew 23:23,24 - “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel (KJV).”
Matthew 23:23,24 - “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel! (NLT)”
Many Christians, who are pro-tithers, have told me that tithing is a command from Jesus and He still wants Christians to tithe. They will use this verse above to back up their claims. However, like most people who do not pay attention to what the Scripture actually says, they read and see what they want to see and unfortunately, they have missed the boat.
What is the context of this verse? What are the circumstances or events that form the environment within which this event exists or takes place? What are some things that we should take note of here?
The first thing I notice is that Jesus is talking to the Pharisees and “scribes,” which are “teachers of religious law.” Also, He is rebuking them for something they are doing wrong with a “woe.” Third, Jesus calls them hypocrites! Why would Jesus call them “hypocrites” if they are tithing? Fourth, I noticed that tithing must consist of herbs or grown items, possibly from a garden or crop. Fifth, I notice that Jesus infers that tithing is a “matter of the law” or an “aspect of the law” and that there are more important issues involved such as “judgment, mercy and faith.” Have you mastered the latter three? If not, I suggest you worry more about judgment, mercy and faith rather than about tithing so religiously every week.
Then, Jesus said to the teachers of religious law, “these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” In other words, “You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.” That is usually where the pro-tither stops and says, “See? Jesus want us to tithe!”
My response:
This event occurred BEFORE Jesus died on the cross, so the Old Testament was still in effect. Jesus is NOT talking to a Christian, who is under grace, but to a teacher of the Mosaic Law, who is under the law! Christians have been crucified with Christ. How can a dead man follow a law?
The reason Jesus calls the teachers of religious law “hypocrites” is because they scrupulously tithed, even to the tiniest frigin’ mint leaf, but yet they disregard the more important aspects of the law. They are so worried about the little things, such as tithing and following the law, that they have missed the greater things that are most important to God.
Hypocrite Behavior: Geneva Study Bible, People's New Testament
1. Hypocrites take special care in small matters, and neglect the things which matter the very most.
2. Hypocrites cannot endure others to be better than themselves.
3. It is a common thing among hypocrites to abuse the pretence of zeal when in reality they are exercising covetousness and extortion.
4. Literally, actors.
5. Hypocrites pay too much attention to outward things, and the inward things they utterly condemn.
6. Hypocrites, when they try the most to cover up their wickedness, it is then by the just judgment of God that they shame themselves.
7. Hypocrites are cruel.
Blind guides! Are you blind, or have your eyes been opened?
Do you deal fairly to convey the true qualities, especially the merits, of someone? Do you show kindness or forgiveness, especially if you are a person who has power (like a judge, police officer or school teacher) over someone else? Do trust God with your life, family and finances? Do you unconditionally love other Christians, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it?
If you have not perfected these things, then you may want to worry about ministering to your first priority, which is your family. Second, comes your stewardship of things God has blessed you with and lastly, generously giving to others who are in need.
Matthew 6:33 - “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (NAS).”
3 comments:
I agree with you that Christians should give 100%. The Christians in Acts sold all that they had and laid it at the Apostles feet. They shared all things in common. And the Apostles redistributed it, so that no one among them had need.
Have you sold everything you own and given it to the poor, or to the church? If not, how much of your income do you give on an annual basis? Do you come somewhat close to 100%? 85% would be a very commendable attempt to reach New Covenant giving standards. How close do you get?
Rather than spend so much time railing against pastors who hold their flocks to such a low standard as tithing, perhaps you should devote the same time and energy to encouraging them to raise the standard to 100%. All this talk against tithing sometimes just ends up as an excuse for lowering the standard even further.
I say pastors should teach people to start with a tithe and move up from there. There is nothing bad that can come from tithing, so we shouldn't be afraid of it. If we were all to start tithing 10% of our income to our local churches, God would not be angry with us for doing that. So why not try it?
Who cares if tithing is a law or not? I don't care. I give over 10% of my income to my local church, and I don't care if it is a law or not. I think tithing is a good thing, a good place to start, and a good goal to strive for. Especially given the New Testament examples we are given of people selling everything they have. The reality is that people give MUCH LESS than a tithe. And articles like yours encourage them to give even less.
Ken, I'm sorry to disagree. However, when we understand the origins of "tithing," we begin to understand that starting with giving 10% is the problem. Read my post on Abram's Tithe and you will understand what I mean.
Pastors should stop supporting the tithe and start supporting giving freely led by the Spirit. This what we are supposed to be doing. Read my post on the Principles of Grace Giving to understand.
I care that tithing is Law or not because giving by the Law is a curse. You and countless others are giving out of compulsion or tradition, not being Spirit led.
I believe tithing is a bad thing because of Jesus said about it. It creates pride and hypocrisy in people and they tend to look upon non-tithers as losers or greedy; which is judgment.
Your talking about tithing and giving as if they are the same thing; they are not. The New Testament example laid out in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 are examples of grace giving, not tithing.
Lastly, it's none of your business or my pastor's of how much or less I give to my church or another brother.
I say give less, help the poor and needy and be Spirit led to give for a purpose in areas that actyally make a difference. Do not give more because the church needs programs or the pastor needs a new car. Stop tithing!
the one who does not provide for his own family is worse then an infidel.
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