# 436 - Today 's Living Word comes from Mr 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."
Jesus now presents a very grave charge against the Pharisees. They were allowing the God commanded care of parents to be shirked for the sake of lining the church treasury.
By the tradition of the Jewish elders, parental care could be abandoned if the resources set aside for their care were dedicated to God. “hey mom, I picked up some more dog food for you to eat today and on my way to the store I gave a thousand dollars to the church in your name!” Sound ridiculous? That's what they were in effect doing.
This set-up sounds like a sweet deal for the religious leaders, the children, and even God,....except God doesn't want your money at the expense and loving care of others, especially members of your own family.
1Ti 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Don't get me wrong here. We are to support our church family too in much the same way. It should be the primary use of our weekly offering. We need to provide for our own spiritual leaders, our own widows, and our own poor within the walls of our congregation, within the Body of Christ, and even beyond.
Sadly, in most congregations such provision is usually relegated to the leftovers.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
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