Reflecting on Luke 11:42-54“You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.” (Luke 11:42)
Jesus clearly says that the Pharisees should have been tithing.
Some people still insist on tithing for believers today.
As I see it, Jesus was speaking to old covenant followers.
Yes, old covenant followers should have done both the latter and the former.
But the latter – justice and the love of God – are not just old covenant laws.
They are the eternal and enduring Law of God, and the Law of Christ.
The Law of Moses was put in place until Jesus came (Galatians 3:23-25)
We are not under that Law but still under Christ’s Law (1 Corinthians 9:20-21).
The Law of Christ, God’s Law, is the Law of love, which includes justice.
Tithing is a helpful discipline for managing our blessings for love and justice.
But it is not a burden to be imposed on others; it is a free act of love.
Love does not require a specific amount, nor is it limited to an amount.
Everything we have, 100%, is to be devoted to love and justice, not just 10%.
The old covenant can give us some ancient examples of how they expressed this.
But as new covenant followers, we look to Jesus for His way of justice and love!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for releasing me from micro-managing rules and rituals, and inviting me to join with You in devoting myself to justice and love. I am called to be free; help me not to use my freedom to indulge myself but to serve others humbly in love!