Post by alon on Mar 21, 2019 3:55:06 GMT -8
Date of reading: March 23, 2019/16 Adar 2, 5779
Name of Par’shah: Tzav (Give an order)
Par’shah: Vayikra 6:1(8)-8:36
Haftarah: Yirmeyahu 7:21-8:3; 9:22(23)-23(24)
Brit Chadashah: Mark 12:28-34; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:14-23
D’rash: Vayikra 7:35-36---On the day when Aharon and his sons were presented to serve Adonai in the office of cohen, this portion was set aside for him and his descendants from the offerings for Adonai made by fire. On the day they were anointed, Adonai ordered that this be given to them by the people of Israel. It is their share forever through all their generations.
Oh no! Another lesson on giving? Yep. It’s not the first and it won’t be the last. It’s a mitzvot that many believers neglect to, or don’t fully observe. One could look online and easily find articles written on why people/members don’t give to their synagogue, church, etc., but I would like to write why one should.
The first Scriptural record on giving begins with Kayin and Hevel, when they brought their firsfruit offerings to Adonai---Kayin, the produce of the soil and Hevel, the firsborn of his sheep (B’resheet 4:3-4a). The first mention of the tithe is when Avraham gave a tenth of the spoils of the enemies he defeated that kidnapped his nephew, Lot (B’resheet 14:18-20). Ya’akov also made a covenant with Adonai to give one-tenth of all he acquired if Adonai helped him to return to the Land of his fathers in peace and prosperity (B’resheet 28:20-22).
When the L’vi’im were chosen by G-d to serve Him as cohanim, the
gave detailed instructions on how the rest of the tribes of Yisra’el were to provide for them, which included some parts of the sacrifices and agricultural produce. The careful observance of this mitzvot is emphasized just before Yisra’el would conquer the Land, when Moshe instructs them not to neglect the L’vi’im, since they would have no land inheritance (D’varim 12:19; 14:27). The L’vi’im rightfully earned their due. They were responsible for presenting the offerings of the people to Adonai in the correct manner, instructing them in and administering justice in conflicts between parties.
Moving to the Brit Chadashah, when Yeshua sends out his talmidim to preach the kingdom of heaven, He instructed them not to bring any necessities, since those who would hear them should, and would provide for them (Mattityahu 10:1-10). Emissary Sha’ul continues to teach this principle in 1 Corinthians 9:11 when he says that those who sow spiritual thing should reap a material harvest from those who benefit, and in 1 Timothy 5:17, those leaders who lead well should be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and teaching. In each case he references
D’varim 25:4----You are not to muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.
But that’s exactly what some do. They can be the ones who take up a lot of a spiritual leader’s time, benefitting from their listening ear and counsel yet not showing appreciation through support with physical resources. Recall Moshe’s admonition: “Take care not to neglect the L’vi’im.” In our culture this does apply to any competent spiritual leader dedicated to full-time ministry. If someone has a new home built, or remodels the one they currently live in, don’t they pay out a lot of money for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc. to benefit from the skills of their trade according to established codes and regulations? How much more should we provide for those leaders who skillfully build on our spiritual foundation of Yeshua HaMashiach according to the laws and statutes of (1 Corinthians 3:8b-15)?
But someone might say, “Tithing isn’t mentioned in the Brit Chadashah.” Not quite an accurate statement. Recall Yeshua’s emphatic rebuke of the hypocritical religious leaders:
Mattityahu 23:23---"Woe to you hypocritical-teachers and P’rushim! You pay your tithes of mint, dill and cumin; but you have neglected the weightier matters of the ---justice, mercy, trust. These are the things you should have attended to---without neglecting the others.”
Note that last phrase---“without neglecting the others”. Of course, our lives should emphasize the big, or weightier commandments, but also not neglecting or forgetting the smaller ones. A similar Scripture to confirm this argument is found in Mattityahu 5:17-19 where Yeshua points out that He has not come to abolish and that it will not pass away until everything in it has happened. The fall Feasts have yet to have their true fulfillment, for example. So tithes and offerings (as well as the other mitzvot) are still in effect. Another reason tithing is not mentioned in the Brit Chadashah may be because it was thoroughly covered and taught in the /Tanakh and faithful Jews were already observing it. I heard or read this reasoning years ago but in relation to another subject not mentioned in the Brit Chadashah--musical instruments. There is one Christian denomination that does not use them in their worship services, at least partly for this reason. However, worshiping with instruments was encouraged by king David (Tehillim 149:3; 150:3-5) and he organized and developed it to an advanced level for the L’vi’im to perform in the Temple (Divrei-Hayamim Alef 23:5; 25:1-7). Like tithing, it was well-known from the Tanakh and therefore not mentioned in the Brit Chadashah. Also, more weightier commandments took precedence when instructing new believers. When emissary Sha’ul taught giving to those who were unfamiliar with , certainly their participation in the existing synagogues would have exposed them to more specific instructions in tithes and the various offerings:
Acts 15:21---For from the earliest times, Moshe has had in every city those who proclaim him, with his words being read in the synagogues every Shabbat.
Probably one of the most significant points of giving is to gauge the temperature of the heart regarding our belief and commitment to the things of G-d. We must be convinced that what we believe is worthy of our support and that we give with a willing heart and not begrudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:7). Yeshua teaches in Mattityahu 6:21 that wherever our treasure is our heart will be there also. This is not to say that we don’t “save for a rainy day” such as savings and retirement but we should evaluate how much of our resources are tied up with too much stuff and dealings with the world, particularly unnecessary debts that have no eternal value.
Money is just one of those things that can hinder our trust in G-d, either because of our love for it, or our worry and anxiety over it; so much so that G-d promises that, if we invest in the eternal things, He will provide what we need (Mal’akhi 3:8-11; Mattityahu 6:31-34).
One reason for not giving may include distrust or disagreement of how the money may be spent. Unless there is gross mismanagement or flagrant spending on what forbids, we should continue giving. It is noteworthy that Yochanan, in his gospel, points out that Y’hudah from K’riot was the treasurer for Yeshua’s ministry and would occasionally steal from it (Yochanan 12:6). Also, Jews from the first century would continue to give to the Temple despite a few bad leaders and priests, particularly those Tz’dukim (Sadducees) who had ties to the Romans. I would say that most synagogues, churches and ministries do not have situations like these and for the most part manage their contributions well.
References: westarkchurchcofchrist.org, Why Don’t We Use Musical Instruments in Worship, by Michael S. Cole, M.D; BibleStudy.org, The Sadducees; Scriptures taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright 1998 by David H. Stern
MRD
Name of Par’shah: Tzav (Give an order)
Par’shah: Vayikra 6:1(8)-8:36
Haftarah: Yirmeyahu 7:21-8:3; 9:22(23)-23(24)
Brit Chadashah: Mark 12:28-34; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:14-23
D’rash: Vayikra 7:35-36---On the day when Aharon and his sons were presented to serve Adonai in the office of cohen, this portion was set aside for him and his descendants from the offerings for Adonai made by fire. On the day they were anointed, Adonai ordered that this be given to them by the people of Israel. It is their share forever through all their generations.
Oh no! Another lesson on giving? Yep. It’s not the first and it won’t be the last. It’s a mitzvot that many believers neglect to, or don’t fully observe. One could look online and easily find articles written on why people/members don’t give to their synagogue, church, etc., but I would like to write why one should.
The first Scriptural record on giving begins with Kayin and Hevel, when they brought their firsfruit offerings to Adonai---Kayin, the produce of the soil and Hevel, the firsborn of his sheep (B’resheet 4:3-4a). The first mention of the tithe is when Avraham gave a tenth of the spoils of the enemies he defeated that kidnapped his nephew, Lot (B’resheet 14:18-20). Ya’akov also made a covenant with Adonai to give one-tenth of all he acquired if Adonai helped him to return to the Land of his fathers in peace and prosperity (B’resheet 28:20-22).
When the L’vi’im were chosen by G-d to serve Him as cohanim, the
gave detailed instructions on how the rest of the tribes of Yisra’el were to provide for them, which included some parts of the sacrifices and agricultural produce. The careful observance of this mitzvot is emphasized just before Yisra’el would conquer the Land, when Moshe instructs them not to neglect the L’vi’im, since they would have no land inheritance (D’varim 12:19; 14:27). The L’vi’im rightfully earned their due. They were responsible for presenting the offerings of the people to Adonai in the correct manner, instructing them in and administering justice in conflicts between parties.Moving to the Brit Chadashah, when Yeshua sends out his talmidim to preach the kingdom of heaven, He instructed them not to bring any necessities, since those who would hear them should, and would provide for them (Mattityahu 10:1-10). Emissary Sha’ul continues to teach this principle in 1 Corinthians 9:11 when he says that those who sow spiritual thing should reap a material harvest from those who benefit, and in 1 Timothy 5:17, those leaders who lead well should be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and teaching. In each case he references
D’varim 25:4----You are not to muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.
But that’s exactly what some do. They can be the ones who take up a lot of a spiritual leader’s time, benefitting from their listening ear and counsel yet not showing appreciation through support with physical resources. Recall Moshe’s admonition: “Take care not to neglect the L’vi’im.” In our culture this does apply to any competent spiritual leader dedicated to full-time ministry. If someone has a new home built, or remodels the one they currently live in, don’t they pay out a lot of money for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc. to benefit from the skills of their trade according to established codes and regulations? How much more should we provide for those leaders who skillfully build on our spiritual foundation of Yeshua HaMashiach according to the laws and statutes of
(1 Corinthians 3:8b-15)?But someone might say, “Tithing isn’t mentioned in the Brit Chadashah.” Not quite an accurate statement. Recall Yeshua’s emphatic rebuke of the hypocritical religious leaders:
Mattityahu 23:23---"Woe to you hypocritical
-teachers and P’rushim! You pay your tithes of mint, dill and cumin; but you have neglected the weightier matters of the ---justice, mercy, trust. These are the things you should have attended to---without neglecting the others.”Note that last phrase---“without neglecting the others”. Of course, our lives should emphasize the big, or weightier commandments, but also not neglecting or forgetting the smaller ones. A similar Scripture to confirm this argument is found in Mattityahu 5:17-19 where Yeshua points out that He has not come to abolish
and that it will not pass away until everything in it has happened. The fall Feasts have yet to have their true fulfillment, for example. So tithes and offerings (as well as the other mitzvot) are still in effect. Another reason tithing is not mentioned in the Brit Chadashah may be because it was thoroughly covered and taught in the /Tanakh and faithful Jews were already observing it. I heard or read this reasoning years ago but in relation to another subject not mentioned in the Brit Chadashah--musical instruments. There is one Christian denomination that does not use them in their worship services, at least partly for this reason. However, worshiping with instruments was encouraged by king David (Tehillim 149:3; 150:3-5) and he organized and developed it to an advanced level for the L’vi’im to perform in the Temple (Divrei-Hayamim Alef 23:5; 25:1-7). Like tithing, it was well-known from the Tanakh and therefore not mentioned in the Brit Chadashah. Also, more weightier commandments took precedence when instructing new believers. When emissary Sha’ul taught giving to those who were unfamiliar with , certainly their participation in the existing synagogues would have exposed them to more specific instructions in tithes and the various offerings:Acts 15:21---For from the earliest times, Moshe has had in every city those who proclaim him, with his words being read in the synagogues every Shabbat.
Probably one of the most significant points of giving is to gauge the temperature of the heart regarding our belief and commitment to the things of G-d. We must be convinced that what we believe is worthy of our support and that we give with a willing heart and not begrudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:7). Yeshua teaches in Mattityahu 6:21 that wherever our treasure is our heart will be there also. This is not to say that we don’t “save for a rainy day” such as savings and retirement but we should evaluate how much of our resources are tied up with too much stuff and dealings with the world, particularly unnecessary debts that have no eternal value.
Money is just one of those things that can hinder our trust in G-d, either because of our love for it, or our worry and anxiety over it; so much so that G-d promises that, if we invest in the eternal things, He will provide what we need (Mal’akhi 3:8-11; Mattityahu 6:31-34).
One reason for not giving may include distrust or disagreement of how the money may be spent. Unless there is gross mismanagement or flagrant spending on what
forbids, we should continue giving. It is noteworthy that Yochanan, in his gospel, points out that Y’hudah from K’riot was the treasurer for Yeshua’s ministry and would occasionally steal from it (Yochanan 12:6). Also, Jews from the first century would continue to give to the Temple despite a few bad leaders and priests, particularly those Tz’dukim (Sadducees) who had ties to the Romans. I would say that most synagogues, churches and ministries do not have situations like these and for the most part manage their contributions well.References: westarkchurchcofchrist.org, Why Don’t We Use Musical Instruments in Worship, by Michael S. Cole, M.D; BibleStudy.org, The Sadducees; Scriptures taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright 1998 by David H. Stern
MRD
