Topic: Understanding Matthew 23:23 by Eli Marcus The law was actually fulfilled after the crucifixion of Christ, when blood was shed. I mentioned this because in Matthew 23:23, Yes the old covenant was still active, therefore tithing according to the law was active. Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, who were unbelievers, during a time when the new covenant was inactive/ the law was still unfulfilled. Secondly, when Jesus said ‘’ Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.’’ He wasn’t making a commandment, or even validating the law, he was merely calling them hypocrites based on their own law and inconsistencies. The most important part to note here is when Jesus was quoted saying this The New Covenant was not active yet. Any other scripture in the new testament that mentions tithing must also be taken into consideration id Jesus was still alive at that point, or had he already died on the cross. That’s why right before Jesus died on the Cross he said ‘’ It is Finish’’ meaning the old covenant is finish and the new covenant is active. In the Gospel of John, the Greek word translated “it is finished” is tetelestai, an accounting term that means “paid in full.’’ God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting mens sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). The key New Testament chapter for the Christian concept of the New Covenant is Hebrews 8: 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 8 For he finds fault with them when he says: Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. 13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. The word Obsolete means: 1. No longer in general use; fallen into disuse: an obsolete expression. 2. Of a discarded or outmoded type; out of date: an obsolete battleship. When the New Testament talks about giving in 2 Cor. 8-10, it mentions giving “generously,” “outrageously,” “not under compulsion,” “joyfully” and “as God leads you.” In some interpretations it even says as you see fit in your own heart, But the New Testament never mentions a rule about a percentage one is required to give. In fact, such a law violates the spirit of the New Testament’s teaching on giving. Nonetheless, I’m not against tithing. I’m against scare tactics and the idea that it’s a ‘’requirement’’ and commandment in biblical context. I am especially against this false notion that you will be curse if you dont do it, and your family. I think it’s a safe biblical principle that is optional according to each believer’s heart.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 05:44:43 +0000
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