"Woe to
you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give...but
you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice,
mercy, and faithfulness" (Matthew 23:23).
The law and the traditions of the Jews called for a strict tithe on certain acquisitions and holdings. Spices were commodities of significant value in those days; most of them came along the trade routes from the East. They represented the sort of wealth that we recognize today in securities and precious metals.
However, Jesus saw that when some Pharisees paid their ten percent "tax" to the temple on these items, they made a great show of it, so that the conspicuous act was perceived to be full of religious piety. In return, these religious leaders expected a measure of religious notoriety, even a kind of applause and approval.
But the act lacked something. And this is where Jesus lowered the boom. The givers of these tithes lacked a deeper religious character. Our Lord as much as says this when he identifies three missing qualities that are supposed to be associated with a generous spirit: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Jesus was not impressed with ostentation, which covered up the givers' lack of true devotion to God, Who saw their hearts. In the same way, if we give primarily for what we gain, rather than out of compassion for the weak and the poor of the community, God sees it. Generous giving is not only an affair of the wallet, but it is also an affair of the heart.
You cannot buy your way out of engagement with the recipient of your gift. You cannot throw your money in the plate and walk away from the shabbiness and messiness of the larger world. A cold, arrogant, self-righteous soul is not exonerated in the eyes of Jesus just because a substantial sum of money is passed into the clutches of a religious institution. Generous giving begins not with the transfer of a buck but with the kindness of a compassionate heart.
