How can we balance tithing with practicing justice, mercy, and faithfulness today? Setting the Stage: Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” Why Jesus Spoke So Strongly - The Pharisees were meticulous about giving a tenth of even the tiniest herbs, yet they ignored the relational commands that reflect God’s own character. - Jesus’ rebuke shows that God never intended tithing to stand alone; it must flow from a heart aligned with His justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Micah 6:8; Hosea 6:6). - Notice Jesus does not discard tithing: “You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” Both matter—together. Tithing: A Continual Act of Faith - Principle established before the Mosaic Law (Genesis 14:20; 28:22) and affirmed after it (Hebrews 7:1-10). - Malachi 3:10 calls Israel to bring “the whole tithe” so there may be “food in My house,” revealing God’s design: sustain His worship and bless His people. - In the New Testament, cheerful, proportionate giving continues (Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 9:13-14; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8). Justice: Treating Others as God Commands - Biblical justice is impartial, truthful, and protective of the vulnerable (Leviticus 19:15; Isaiah 1:17). - In practical terms: • Pay fair wages (James 5:4). • Refuse corruption or favoritism at work or in civic life (Proverbs 11:1). • Use influence to advocate for the oppressed—born and unborn, poor and stranger. Mercy: Tangible Compassion - Mercy reflects God’s own kindness to sinners (Psalm 103:8). - Practicing mercy today: • Forgive freely (Ephesians 4:32). • Give generously to those in crisis—widows, orphans, refugees (James 1:27). • Serve personally: visit the sick, feed the hungry, welcome the outsider (Matthew 25:35-40). Faithfulness: Steadfast Loyalty to God and People - Faithfulness is reliability rooted in covenant love (Lamentations 3:22-23). - Live it out by: • Keeping commitments—marriage vows, contracts, church membership (Psalm 15:4). • Honoring God with consistent integrity in private and public (Colossians 3:23-24). • Persevering in prayer and devotion (Romans 12:12). Bringing It All Together—Practical Steps 1. Begin with the tithe as a baseline of obedience. • Give first, not last (Proverbs 3:9-10). • Direct it to the local church, the primary “storehouse” for gospel ministry. 2. Budget intentionally for justice and mercy beyond the tithe. • Set aside additional offerings for relief work, adoption funds, pro-life ministries, or missionaries addressing systemic injustice. 3. Engage personally, not only financially. • Volunteer time and talents: tutoring, mentoring, foster care, legal aid. 4. Evaluate regularly. • Ask: “Does my checkbook—and my calendar—display justice, mercy, and faithfulness?” 5. Stay rooted in worship. • Justice without worship becomes activism; worship without justice becomes hypocrisy. Keep both in view (Amos 5:21-24). Encouragement to Finish Well - God promises blessing—not merely material, but spiritual fruit—when we honor Him in all three arenas (Matthew 6:33; Luke 6:38). - The ultimate model is Christ, who fulfilled perfect justice, extended boundless mercy, and walked in unwavering faithfulness (1 Peter 2:22-24). - Aligning our giving with His heart ensures our tithe is never hollow, and our pursuit of justice, mercy, and faithfulness never wanes. |
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