TSK · Luke 18:12

Redemption of the Tithe“‘Any tithe of the land, from the grain of the land or from the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.

Then God met Balaam, who said to him,“I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram.”

Jehu said,“Come with me and see how zealous I am for the LORD’s cause.” So he took him along in his chariot.

They seek me day after day; they want to know my requirements, like a nation that does what is right and does not reject the law of their God. They ask me for just decrees; they want to be near God.

Can a person rob God? You indeed are robbing me, but you say,‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and contributions!

Private Prayer“Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward!

The Superiority of the New Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked,“Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”

“Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You give a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you neglect what is more important in the law– justice, mercy, and faithfulness! You should have done these things without neglecting the others.

So you too, when you have done everything you were commanded to do, should say,‘We are slaves undeserving of special praise; we have only done what was our duty.’”

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God on behalf of my fellow Israelites is for their salvation.

I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation, and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.

For“physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”