Matthew 23:23 (KJV)
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.
Since the scribes, Pharisees, and other groups of Jews (Sadducees, Sanhedrin, high priests, etc.) no longer exist in their biblical forms, it is easy to either dismiss them or accuse just about anyone we wish of being like them. However, there is no question that this entire chapter is taken up with Jesus’ critical judgment of these groups.
I can relate to many of these observations within Christian circles I’ve been associated with. Religious circles and Jesus are not the same. Jesus must not be judged by those claiming to be His followers. Even the best followers are followers at best. If we are humble and honest enough, I expect we can see ourselves in a few of these judgments.
I wish to focus on the observation in this passage that a person cannot buy their way into righteousness. No amount of money can replace, as Jesus put it, the weightier matters of the law.
This reminds me of those in the Civil War (and I believe it happened in WWI as well) who paid someone else to take their place fighting in the war. It was a common practice, considered legitimate, and might have seemed both practical and logical. After all, it provided paying wages to the one who agreed to fight and spared our country’s “best and brightest” from the risk of death. But it cast a shadow on the one who stayed behind.
Teddy Roosevelt’s father was a wealthy businessman, philanthropist, and supporter of the Union cause during the Civil War. However, as i understand it, Teddy was “embarrassed” that his father never put his body where his money was. Roosevelt grew up believing in philanthropy but also believed he must do more than give—he had to fight!
On the other hand, Jesus said that doing right was no excuse for skipping the tithe.
We now live in a time when large numbers of professing Christians challenge whether tithing is biblical, claiming it is Old Testament law and therefore not binding for New Testament Christians. I cannot know the heart of everyone who takes this position. Perhaps some of them give far more than what their tithe would have been to the house of God. I would be interested in hearing from someone of this mindset who is willing to share how much they give.
However, I have met my share of professing Christians who view themselves as struggling financially and use the Old Testament argument as an excuse to give less than the tithe—or nothing at all.
Jesus said giving is no excuse for not being righteous, and righteousness is no excuse for not giving.
Do the one. Do not leave the other undone.
#BiblicalPerspective #WeightierMatters #TrueRighteousness #GivingAndLiving #ChristCenteredFaith
Can Money Replace Righteousness? The Weightier Matters
What do you think are the “weightier matters” we often overlook in our walk with God? Share your thoughts in the comments! This week, take action by faithfully tithing in your local church. For more biblical insights and resources, visit marvinmckenzie.org.
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