Biblical Answer

What did Jesus say about tithing?

According to the provided information, Jesus did not reject the principle of tithing, but rather the excessive zeal and hypocrisy of the Pharisees in their tithing practices. In Matthew 23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their meticulousness in tithing mint, dill, and cumin, but reproves them for their lack of "mercy and faithfulness" (v. 23). Jesus saw the tithe as part of the Law of God, but not the most important part (Matt. 23:23).

Jesus' View of Tithing

Jesus' view of tithing is not that it is unnecessary or irrelevant, but rather that it should not be done at the expense of more important matters such as justice and mercy. In Luke 18, a Pharisee prayed, "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get" (Luke 18:11-12). Jesus saw this as a legitimate expression of devotion, but he also saw the Pharisees' excessive zeal for tithing as a form of hypocrisy.

The Importance of Context

It is essential to understand the context in which Jesus spoke about tithing. The Pharisees were so scrupulous about tithing that they even tithed garden herbs (Luke 11:42). This excessive zeal was not in line with Jesus' teaching, which emphasized the importance of living a life of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus did not reject the principle of tithing, but rather the Pharisees' misuse of it as a means of gaining approval and respect from others. In the Christian community today, the emphasis should be on living a life of love, justice, and mercy, rather than on adhering to strict rules and regulations about tithing.