Scripture

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! 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 series of judgements against the Pharisees and the teachers of the law.

Firstly, Jesus condemns them for shutting the door of the Kingdom in people’s faces. There ffalse teaching and rejection of Jesus as the Messiah means they will be judged by the Father.

Next, they are condemned for travelling to make converts, but because of their false teaching, they lead their converts to hell.

Then Jesus condemns their false teachings about swearing oaths. Some oaths were binding, but others had loop holes to allow one to escape from having to keep the oaths.

Application

Legalism is a stumbling stone for many believers. We can get so wrapped up in making sure that we are faithful to God that we miss the point.

The Pharisees apparently tithed to the last cent. They counted the money that they made from the herb gardens and tithes on that. They wanted to make sure they were on God’s good side.

God loves us whether we tithe or not. Tithing is meant to spur us to a lifestyle of generosity. Why stop at 10%? Why not give 15 or 20%? If we understand the generosity of God’s grace to us, we will give freely and recklessly.

Tithing is not about paying a debt to God. No, it is recognising that Jesus has paid our debts; we don’t have to try to impress God any more and so we can go beyond tithing.

The Pharisees saw God as a righteous God who must be placated. Jesus taught us to see God as a loving Father who gives us more than we deserve.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to appreciate your grace towards me and to show grace to those around me. Amen.