Tithing, Giving and the Scriptures: It’s Not What You Think [Part 18]

The Pharisees’ Self-Righteousness (Luke 18:9-14)

9Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10″Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Again, Jesus’ illustration was meant to expose the misconception about the purpose of the law: it was not meant to separate those who could perform from those who could not, but to expose an equal need for a Savior.

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Summary of the Tithe During the Transition

Jesus never told anyone to tithe! In fact, every reference to tithing was in the negative sense! He only directed these rebukes to Pharisees, or those who considered themselves the elite, religious, productive, God-pleasers of their day.