“Weightier Matters”

Compiled by Brother L. Harrell

 

One says “I neglect paying tithes because I attend to other [more serious] matters”.  (See Matthew 23:23).  If my every need is deemed as a “weightier matter” (more important than the Lord’s sacred tithes), then how am I calling on the name of the Lord?

 

Hebrews 10:38   Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

 

Romans 10:13   For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

If I am continually self-justified (saving myself), then I do not need to hope, because I have already found my salvation.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for.  It is by hope that we are saved.  But, hope that is seen is not hope. 

 

Romans 8:24b (New Living Translation) For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it.

 

Our heart and our mouth must be in agreement with each other [as well as with the Word].  If my mouth says trust God, but my heart says trust myself, there is disunity with myself. (My actions are manifestation of my heart).  If I have this disunity with myself and/or with the Word, I am unstable and my hope has no substance. 

 

Romans 10:10   For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

Matthew 15:18   But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

 

James 1:8   A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

Matthew 23:23 conveys that justice, mercy, and faithful dealing should have done without neglecting the other "more serious" matters.

Like giving our tithes and generous offering, when giving heed to the Lord’s Sabbath, one must wait with patience for promised blessing to be manifested. 

 

Romans 8:25 (New Living Translation)  But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.

 

When the enemy tempts us with "needs" on the Sabbath,  we must be sure not to let him present us with scriptures taken out of context, and lead us to pollute the Lord’s Day.  We must be sure it is a matter of mercy [et al.] and not of lust of the flesh. 

 

1 Corinthians 10:13  (New Living Translation)  But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

 

Romans 8:1   There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.


Some claim there is no need for tithing in the New Testament.  There is no love for God [whom we are to love wholeheartedly] or our fellowman in a stingy attitude.  Rationalizing rather than trusting God’s promise that He will “make ends meet” for us leads us to put “chump change” in the offering plate rather than giving real money that can help the Church meet its objectives.

 

Some think giving “chump change” is enough to bestow double honor to those that the Lord has ordained to receive their living by the means of their ministry.  A tightfisted person is a thief and a murderer, stealing the Lord’s money and hindering their neighbor from receiving life.  The Levitical Priesthood did not live off the crumbs, but rather they lived of preferable quality parts.

 

1 Timothy 5:17   Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

 

Matthew 10:10(b) for the workman is worthy of his meat.


1 Timothy 5:8(b)  And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
 

1 Corinthians 9:9-10   For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

 

1 Corinthians 9:13-14   Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.


What is often called a "weightier matter" is in reality a person believing an evil report.  This same attitude was expressed by Israel while receiving their Egyptian exodus.

Exodus 14:12 (NLT) Didn't we tell you to leave us alone while we were still in Egypt? Our Egyptian slavery was far better than dying out here in the wilderness!"


If I don't give with a willing attitude, I might as well keep my money, because I'm operating sinfully anyway.  (The Just shall live by faith). 


2 Corinthians 9:7   Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Malachi 1:12 (NLT) But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it's all right to defile the Lord's table.

For More On Tithes, See:  Do Not Boil Your Kid In Its Mother’s Milk

Revised:  01/25/04

http://chooselord.apostolicnetwork.com

 Web Space Provided by Apostolic Network Community