Is Mercy More Important Than Tithing? | Matthew 23:23

[00:00:00] We'll truth, Daily This is Daily Truths with Dave Ahlman. The media were judgemental and critical. They didn't practice love and faithfulness, justice and mercy. They tived, but all the other things regarding the law were lacking.

[00:00:43] On the other hand, I've known people who were loving and grace-filled and merciful and kind and carried out justice with other people, gave people the benefit of the doubt, but didn't give one dime of their finances to the Lord.

[00:00:59] On the other hand, I've known people and I've got a couple of people in mine. I don't want to embarrass them by saying their names who practiced both who were tremendous tithers,

[00:01:09] but were filled with love and mercy and justice and caring and forgiveness and compassion for other people. Does Jesus talk about that in the same sentence or the same verse? As a matter of fact, he does. Matthew chapter 23 verse 23, listen to this,

[00:01:27] what do you describe in Pharisees, hypocrites? He's called that. They have a few times that, but for you, Tyd, Menth and Dill and Q, in other words, when they raise these crops of men to Dill and Q, which is like herbs, right?

[00:01:44] Out of that, they would tie it to the Lord, which is absolutely fine. You tied Menth and Dill and Q, and have neglectless of this, the way to your matters of the law. What are those way to your matters?

[00:01:57] Justice and mercy and faithfulness, just as being kind and fair and just other people, mercy being filled with compassion and forgiveness and love towards other people and faithfulness, faithfulness to God, trusting in Him no matter what. So what Jesus is saying is, you were lacking in those things.

[00:02:20] You were paying attention to this, tithing even on herbs, which is kind of ridiculous, and you neglected the more weighty or things of the law, which was love, mercy, kindness, compassion, justice, and faithfulness. These you ought to have done without neglecting the others.

[00:02:43] Now listen with Jesus is saying, he's saying mercy, kindness, faithfulness, gentlest, all these different things of fruits of the Spirit are very important. But don't do it at the expense of tithing. He said they're both important. Now the big question is, which is more important?

[00:03:00] According to Jesus, mercy, faithfulness and justice is more important than tithing. Wow. Now again, Jesus is not dismissing tithing here. He's saying don't neglect tithing at the expense of doing those other things. Those other things are more important than tithing but do both. Whew.

[00:03:28] I've had a lot of disagreements with people about tithing down through the years. And some people said, well, Jesus never mentions tithing in the New Testament. Yes he does. Some other fact here he says don't neglect it.

[00:03:41] You know, the other things are more important but don't neglect it. So since we're on that subject I got to ask you are you a tither, right? And a lot of people say well, I just can't afford it.

[00:03:52] And I say you can't afford it not to do it. And a lot of times I tell people you can't out give God. I've never known a person in my life who tithe to give sacrificially the Lord 10% of their income.

[00:04:08] And a lot of times I'm asked is it gross or net? Is it before after taxes? Yes. But I've never met a person who tithe whose needs weren't met.

[00:04:20] Maybe I shared a story with you a year ago about a guy in my previous congregation who believes so strongly in tithing. He said, past today you challenged people a tithe and if their needs are not met during the month, I'll make up the difference.

[00:04:34] In other words, I'll pay the difference of what they can't pay for for food and clothes and whatever. Holy cow why did he say that because he knew that God is faithful when we give 10% back to him?

[00:04:44] So again, a lot of times people say wild tithing isn't mentioned in the New Testament. No it is right here. And he said as a matter of fact you should focus on mercy and compassion and kindness and justice and faithfulness and mercy.

[00:04:58] And all these different kinds of things I think I said mercy twice. All these different kinds of things you should focus on that but not neglect. I think. Okay, he does mention it in the New Testament.

[00:05:12] So, but I've got to ask the ultimate question which is more important. Well, it's a little out of justice, mercy and faithfulness. But don't focus on those things at the expense of giving sacrificially, faithfully, willingly to the Lord. The Bible does not say God loves a grumpy giver.

[00:05:35] God loves a cheerful giver. Give up your first fruits back to him. And that is today's Daily Truth. Have a great day in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for tuning in to Daily Truths with Dave Almond.

[00:05:50] Pastor Dave Almond is the pastor of Mount Holt Church in Boulder, Colorado. If this ministry is blessing you, please consider supporting us by sharing this channel with a friend. You can also like, comment, subscribe or leave a review. This helps us tremendously.

[00:06:05] Come back tomorrow for your next Daily Truth.