Tithing Versus Helping the Poor

In Matthew 23:23-28, Jesus adds three more woes (words of judgment) against the scribes (rabbis) and their elite Pharisees. He continues to call them hypocrites, because they pretend to be more devoted to the law of Moses than the majority of Jews. Another example of this is their exceptional dedication to the laws of tithing: they insist that even the smallest fruits of the land–tiny spices like mint, dill, and cumin–must be tithed. Yet, Jesus says they are at the same time neglecting more important matters of the law (of Moses): justice, mercy, and faith (faithfulness).

Giving a tenth of their fruits to help support their priests in the temple–or their “priestly” rabbis in the synagogues–is part of the law of Moses given to Israel; tithing should not be neglected by them. But by overlooking the more important laws dealing with justice, mercy, and faith (faithfulness), these rabbis and their Pharisees are blind guides. Jesus concludes that they strain out the tiny gnat (tiny spices), yet swallow the large camel (faithful justice and mercy).

Especially Israel’s prophets emphasized the importance of justice: Isaiah 1:17 says “learn to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow;” Micah 6:8 says “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” Jesus new kingdom of heaven also emphasizes such love that reaches out to show kindness (mercy) to the impoverished and oppressed. But Jesus does not command his disciples to give tithes–or to build temples or synagogues, led by “holy fathers”–for there is only one Father, the Father in heaven, and all those in the new kingdom of heaven are simply brothers and sisters (see Mat. 23:8-9). The many churches that ended up building “houses of God” and requiring tithes to support their priests or pastors are more like the kingdom of Israel.

Jesus next two woes reveal another kind of hypocrisy: the scribes and Pharisees clean the outside (of the cup or dish or tomb) while inside they are full of greed and self-seeking. This could again portray their pretending to be devoted to the law (minor laws), while hiding their greed that refuses to give help to the impoverished and oppressed. Or, the cup or dish could also be literal: they emphasize washing their cups and dishes, while ignoring the expensive drink and food in those containers. Jesus tells them to first cleanse the inside of the cup so the outside might then be clean. After cleaning out inner greed and self-seeking, they can then give generously to those most in need. Likewise, as whitewashed “tombs,” they appear clean on the outside; but inside they are full of bones of the dead and all uncleanness.