Scripture

“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.”

Observation

Jesus launches into a condemnation of the religious teachers and the Pharisees. He warns them of God’s judgement for their sins.

Jesus accuses the Pharisees and teachers of shutting the door of God’s Kingdom in the faces of people. They themselves won’t go in, but they make it hard for others to go in as well. 

The teachers and Pharisees cross the land and sea to make a convert, and then they make that person twice the child of hell that they are. They corrupt the intention of the Law by teaching that a vow made “ by the altar” is not binding,, but a vow  made “ by the gifts on the altar”  is. 

Pharisees are diligent to tithe from the herbs in the garden, but they neglect the more important aspects of the law –  justice, mercy, and faith.

Application

God is not impressed by our virtuous tithing, if our hearts are not surrendered to him .

The problem with the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, and many Christians today, is that they see pleasing God as a matter of keeping rules scrupulously. They dot their i’s and cross their t’s only to discover that God is not reading their book.

Tithing is important. More important, though, is to love God with all of our heart, strength, soul, and mind.

Living righteously is important. More important, however, is that we love our neighbour as we love ourselves.

Prayer

Father, I confess that I sometimes feel morally superior to others because I don’t sin the way they do. Please help me to surrender myself completely to you and to seek your face in everything I do. Amen