(The following is the January 30 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Matthew 23 and pay close attention to verses 23-24.)
In Matthew 23:23-24, Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees for being consumed with some detailed rules while ignoring weightier matters like justice, mercy, and faithfulness. That is, of course, his main point. This devotion, however, discusses a secondary topic.
Jesus mentioned the leaders’ willingness to pay a tenth (tithe) of mint, dill, and cumin, showing they took tithing seriously. Jesus did not tell them to stop doing that. Instead, he said, “These things should have been done without neglecting the others” (v. 23). That statement affirms continuing what they faithfully did (tithe) while pursuing the weightier matters (justice, mercy, and faithfulness).
Old Testament writers expected believers to tithe. Many stewardship testimonies and sermons quote Malachi 3:8: “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me! ‘How do we rob you?’ you ask. By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions.” The tithe was not the endpoint for Old Testament giving; it was the starting point with freewill and other offerings given in addition.
People rightly point to the New Testament’s instruction to give regularly and proportionately (1 Cor. 16:2), cheerfully from the heart, and not out of compulsion (2 Cor. 9:6-7). The gospels praise the widow who gave the small amount she had because she gave willingly and sacrificially (Mark 12:41-44). Would faithful, willing, cheerful, regular, sacrificial, proportional giving ever be less than the Old Testament standard set by the law? The work to be done for God’s kingdom, our response to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and our gratefulness for being saved from Hell and granted eternal life demand more from us than the Old Testament law ever demanded.
Next Step:
What percentage of your income do you give to God’s work through his church? Prayerfully consider increasing the portion of your income you regularly give back to God through the church.
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