*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*TITHES AND RIGHTEOUSNESS (1)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Matt 23:23 *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.*
*lnsight and Highlight.*
Paying your tithes and righteousness are linked and inseparable.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Jesus made one of the most fundamental statements that should tell us that He endorses tithes.
From Jesus' word in Matt 23:23, we can learn the following.
First, Jesus' words in Matt 23:23 tell us about Christ's endorsement of tithes. Significant enough is His link of tithes to righteousness.
A careful look at this verse tells us the comparativeness of the weightier matters of the law and the weighty matters of the law, which is that
paying tithes is secondary, while righteousness is primary.
According to His statement, tithe has weight before Christ. It is a weighty subject/matter and all- important, whereas observing righteous, like the
*.....law, judgment, mercy, and faith:..* is weightier.
When you seek the kingdom with all its righteousness, tithe will not be an issue.
You can not be truly righteous without paying your tithe, and you are encouraged to tithe as long as you do not omit the weightier observance of righteousness.
Just as any other good works that point to righteous living, neglecting to do any of them will not complete your righteousness before God.
You can not be a Christ's preacher and discourage tithes. You are His preacher of righteousness because you obey all his commands, including the weighty observance of tithes.
In fact, you are recognized by the Kingdom as His because of your righteousness, including paying tithes.
By God's righteous standards, you should not discourage it while you promote other good works.
Second, if Jesus said tithing should not be neglected, it means it must be obeyed. Looking at Matt 23:23, He did not say the Scribes and Pharisees should ignore tithing.
Luke 11:42 makes His words clearer.
*But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.*
Jesus was saying that as you should both tithe, so also observe the love of God.
Without any doubt, Jesus was saying that our righteousness is not complete without tithing, and failure to tithe is unrighteousness.
Therefore, to say, those who do not pay tithe may be destined for hell is a true statement, (ref Mal 3:11-18, 1 Cor 6:9-12).
Your tithe is not complete without righteousness, and not tithing, among other conditions that must be met, will not complete true righteousness before God.
We must take tithing as one of the conditions to fulfill righteousness.
Jesus wants us to obey every arm of the law, and none should be negotiated for another.
If you are righteous, you will preach and encourage tithing and pay tithes.
Tithes and righteousness are interlinked.
*Remorse corner.*
If the *'.....matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith:...'* is weightier, tithing is comparatively weighty and thus encouraged by Christ.
*Call to Word action.*
Deut 12:32 *What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Tithing is a heart, and so every form of righteous living. Each form of righteous living with the others is righteousness. None without the others is righteousness.
*Prayer.*
Lord, let me do what l ought to do and *....not to leave the other undone*, (Luke 11:42), in Jesus name,
Good morning all, and have a blessed day.
God bless you.
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