Chapter 17: Myth—Giving 10% Is A Tithe

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Myth—Giving 10% Is A Tithe

Therefore, obedience to God leads to being righteous in His eyes even

if keeping the rituals of Moses’ laws does not. Note that Luke speaks of the “commandments” and “requirements” of God vs. the “ritual Laws.” We also know that “whoever does what is right is righteous like Christ Jesus.”

On the other hand, if you are “in faith,” you recognize that there are weightier matters of the Law that should have priority in your thinking. You understand that God gave us the Law, but expects us to operate in faith. You understand the difference between the “weightier matters of the Law” and

the “ritual matters of the Law.” When eternal life is granted or refused, it will be granted for those who are “in faith” with God and refused to those who are “in the Law.” Yet don’t we need a clearer picture to avoid getting dismissed by Jesus as being lawless? Part of that clearer picture can be seen in Psalm 19, where King David makes four distinctions about the “Law.”

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right,

bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight to life.” Psalm 19:7-8 NLT

David makes four distinctions about the instructions of God contained

in the Bible’s first five books, which collectively are called the “Law.”

1. The Law of the Lord. 2. The Decrees of the Lord.

3. The Commandments of the Lord. 4. The Commands of the Lord.

Now consider the following distinctions in the Book of Deuteronomy.

1. Commandments of the Covenant 5:6-21 2. Commands 6:1-11:32 3. Ceremonial Laws 12:1-16:17

4. Civil Laws 16:18-20:20 5. Social Laws 21:1-26:19