Matthew 23: 23

[Chichebe]

**Matthew 23: 23 ** ’ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practised without neglecting the others.’ (NRSV)

In my discussions with a member of a non-denominational church, they were surprised that Catholics do not all tithe. I told them that tithing in my understanding was based on Old Testament principles to support the Levitical priesthood. However, they site the above passage as evidence of Jesus support of tithing. Thoughts from all - non-Catholics and Catholics. .

 

[Della]

Jesus was talking to practicing Jews here. He is simply telling them that they ought to practice the spirit of the law just as much as they practice the letter of the law. He was not making a statement about how much one should give to the Church, which did not yet exist.

 

[space_ghost]

…remember, he came to fulfill the law, not to do away with it… with that said however, it’s obvious even in that passage a fixed percentage was not mentioned…

…it’s all about loving God and neighbor… that’s the message… the weighter parts of the law concerned Christ the most…

give what you can…

but love God and fellow man…

http://mediasoftware.free.fr/index.1.jpg

 

[TOME]

I think if the discussion on Matthew 23: 23 is centered on tithing, then the discussion come dangerously close to what Jesus is condemning in this passage.

Jesus, here is stating that there is so much more than adherence to a Law (be it Mosaic or tithing). The real message here is what is your motivating principle? Justice as God understands Justice (Giving to another, what that person truely needs, not what I nor society thinks he deserves) and Mercy (being able to forgive, what we humans consider to be the unforgivable, just as the Father has done for us).

That should be the focus on this passage.

 

[Chichebe]

The church my friend belongs to runs a website on which they discuss a number of issues. I have visited it to try and get their take on the matter in order to answer this and other concerns that they have about the Catholic Church. The following quote originates from the site:

’‘Many are in opposition to tithing today quoting Matthew 23:23 as proof text. In misquoting this text, they actually twist Jesus’ words to teach just the opposite of what Jesus plainly said. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices… But you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness.” Stopping at that spot in the verse might allow some misinterpretation. But Jesus continued, “You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” From this we see that Jesus regarded the Old Testament practice of tithing as continuing into the new covenant under which we now live.’'
The full article is at the following link:

pottersclub.com/articleshow.asp?art_num=4

Thank for your views.