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Matthew 23:23 ESV

'"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. '

Luke 11:42 ESV

'"But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. '

This is nearly a miracle!

Two different writers of the recorded words of Jesus state the same thing. There’s an agreement in this text on what Jesus had to say concerning this matter in context. In most situations at home or work, we can hardly get a clear path of communication let alone agree with someone on what was said in a meeting or important conversation.

I know there is a debate about the tithe and if it’s an old testament rule and not a new testament requirement. This debate, in my opinion, is debunked by the words of our Lord in this passage. Jesus’ words are; “These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

I have two points to make on tithing that I haven’t heard in the body of Christ.

• We will be misguided if we do not look at tithing with the lens of God’s love.
• Our thoughts and feelings about tithing take us to the true level of fear or faith we have in Jesus to take care of our every need.

Let’s start with the lens of God’s love.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:17;

'"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. '

We are told the old testament isn’t going away. But the great thing about this is Jesus came to fulfill the law and we can do what is required through Jesus. With Jesus, came the grace for us to be good stewards of the law. Jesus said a couple of sentences later in verse 20; 'For I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. '

Is Jesus serious? On my own, without Jesus, I am just as lowly as the Pharisees.

This is why we have the New Testament. It was God’s great love for us that made provision for us to live out the law through Jesus and not of ourselves. In Jesus, we are complete.

So now, part of the law is to pay tithe.

But it’s historically known, that most of the “Christian Church” as a whole, doesn’t give a full tithe to its local church.

Why is this the case? Several reasons, I’m sure.

Here’s one.

We look at giving the tithe through the lense of fear and not love. We have collected and stored up in our hearts and minds the evil ideas of poverty, lack, and cynicism. They came to us as we lived through a difficult childhood. Or through the belief that the company we work for is our provider. We’ve been indoctrinated by the world system of credit and debt. We’ve taken on the task of providing for ourselves because no one else will. Not even Jesus.

But there are deep problems that come with fear. It creates the desire in us to want control of our lives and finances to live the life we want to live. It can lead us to a life of manipulation, debt, and worry. Mostly though, it blocks us from seeing the truth about God’s lavish love for us and His desire to fully meet and exceed our needs and desires.

God’s love for Adam and Eve was expressed when He told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge (recognition) of good and evil. (Genesis 2) If they did eat of it, they would surely die. Every good father, out of love, warn their kids not to drink poison or touch fire. Is God not a much better parent than we could ever be?

I understand how difficult it is to let go of the rope when you do not see any physical security below you. That is the fear that binds us to the ways of the small thinking of the world and its ways.

The question now is; How do we get out of this devious way of living and thinking?

Jesus said, in red letters; 'But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. ' Matthew 6:33 AMP

This is an action statement. We must do something to understand the ways of God. We must take action that counters the ways of the world. One of these actions is reading the Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Here’s why.

God’s ways counter the ways of the world. In the realm of provision, God is the provider for all of our needs. Read Matthew 6. Read Psalm 23. 'The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. ' Psalm 23:1 AMP

This next scripture is sure to mess with your thinking to the point you will try to change the meaning to a singular spiritual viewpoint.

The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches, And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God]. '

Proverbs 10:15,22 AMP

Yet a previous verse says;

'The rich man’s wealth is his fortress; The ruin of the poor is their poverty.

Proverbs 10:15 AMP

These two Proverbs counter each other making it clear when God blesses us with His riches, it has a different effect in our heart, mind, and soul compared to the one who becomes rich from human potential.

God’s love proceeds His giving to us. He prepares us for the receiving out of His love for us. If we are not prepared to receive riches in any form, we become slaves to the riches and the emotional connection it can give us if we are not centered on God.

What does all this have to do with tithing?

To tithe or not to tithe is the question?

For many years, as a follower of Christ, I would tithe according to my bills owed. If I could tithe after I paid bills, I would. Mostly, I wouldn’t pay tithe and give a little something in the offering plate. I didn’t have complete internal acceptance of God’s deep love for me as a good father. I didn’t believe He could or would take care of all my needs, as Psalm 23 states. I had the mentality that God was taking care of my needs according to my behavior and not my position with Him as His son. Without the belief of His desire to fully take care of me, I lived in fear and lived a life of manipulating finances to try to make ends meet and lived in debt to the world.

Once God healed me from this fear of being abandoned and freed me from this twisted view of Him and showed me I could completely trust Him, I started tithing consistently without question.

With complete trust in God, I live a life of freedom from fear and manipulation. I also live with complete provision.

In a similar scenario, you could be tithing out of fear. If you are still trying to appease God so nothing bad happens to you then you might want to consider your view of God and how He views you.

It's much easier and better to give freely and without compulsion, as Paul, the Apostle suggests, if you see God with the perspective of His great love for you and His desire to take care of all your needs in all areas of your life.

If tithing brings up any fear or concerns in your life, you may want to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what may be inside of you that needs to change so your perspective about God changes.

God is love.

God heals.

God provides all we need.

Connect with me on Facebook on the "Voice of Inspiration" page for FB Live devotionals.

Andy

voiceofinspiration@yahoo.com

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

The First Sin