Jesus is Essential
Mark 7:10–13: For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
“Corban” is the Greek (and Eng.) transliteration of a Hebrew term used to refer to a gift devoted to God. It was a dedicatory formula pronounced over money and property donated to the temple and its service by an inviolable vow. Such gifts could only be used for religious purposes.
If a son declared that the resources needed to support his aging parents were “Corban” then, according to scribal tradition, he was exempt from this command of God, and his parents were legally excluded from any claim on him. The scribes emphasized that his vow was unalterable and held priority over his family responsibilities. So they no longer let him do anything for his parents. 1
Walking with Jesus
What is the motive behind your financial giving? Is it about getting a tax credit, or is it about giving your first and your best to honor God and bless His work and workers?
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity. Proverbs 19:1
Spiritual hypocrisy is the worst kind of hypocrisy. It misrepresents God’s heart.
Praying
Lord, thank You for giving Your absolute best for my redemption.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (Mark) (electronic ed., Vol. 36). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
