I am juxtaposing
two entirely different precepts to make a point, “tithing” and “washing the
saints’ feet.” Let’s look at these two precepts:
Tithing:
Tithing is mentioned 37 times in the Bible, 30 in the Old Testament and 7 in
the New Testament. Tithing is an Old Testament requirement right out of the Law
of Moses, with no application or substantiation under New Covenant Grace where
its only New Testament mention is in reference to Judaism, not Christianity. Under
the Law tithing guaranteed the financial blessings of God… Giving guaranteed prosperity.
Under Grace tithing puts one in bondage to the Law… to keep the whole Law… an
impossible task!
Washing
the saints’ feet: Washing a saint’s feet is a New Covenant precept instituted
by Jesus as an example that we should do as He had done, promising that we would
be blessed if we washed one another’s feet. It takes deep commitment, brotherly
love, and humility to wash another Christians’ feet, and the blessings are
spiritual in nature.
Now
which do you suppose God’s bratty children do??? We give 10% checking our “I’m
OK” box, dragging legalism into God’s awesome Grace... Giving To Get! And we miss
out on the humbling transformational experience of washing another saint’s
feet... emulating our Lord and invoking His promise: “If I
then, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you
should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his
master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if
you do them.” We can’t even get the simplest most basic command right in our
striving to prosper in a world our Lord warned us not to love. I, for one, want
the spiritual blessings of God, not the accolades of man.
Follow
Up Note: The Law actually required three ten percent tithes, two yearly and one
every three years -- i.e., 23 1/3%. And
as for N.T. giving, God doesn’t want 10%... or 23 1/3%... He wants hearts
raptured by His love that give as prompted by the Holy Spirit... giving
sacrificially, even as the widow gave out of her need, depending on Him for our
future provisions as we demonstrate His love to others. New Testament giving
takes faith for there is no automatic reimbursement entitlement as there was
under the Law of Moses!
“BLESSED ARE YOU IF YOU DO THEM”
(Jn. 13:3-17)
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