Fasting and Giving Tithes - Luke 18:12

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twelve of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said the “Pharisee” prayed about, “fasting and giving tithes” where we read:

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

The verse reads, “I fast twice in the week, ...” Luke began with the words, “I fast” or “I, the Pharisee, abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days” “twice in the week” which means “two times in the seven days within a week”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “Pharisee” continued to tell God how great he was by referring to his abstaining from food two times in each week.

The verse goes on to say, “... I give tithes of all that I possess.” Luke continued with the words, “I give tithes” or “I, the Pharisee, grant, bestow, furnish and supply a tenth part” “of all I possess” which means “pertaining to each, every, the whole and everything I, the Pharisee, acquire, procure and obtain”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “Pharisee” continued his self-elevation by referring to his “tithing” practices with everything he “obtains”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn two more religious traits by which the “Pharisee” exalted himself in prayer before God. To hear this religious leader speak, one might deem God very “lucky” to have him as a believer. This man was filled with “pride”, and because he thought himself unlike others whom he deemed to be “unrighteous”, he believed he followed all the religious rules to be righteous. Because of this, He thought God should favor and think more of him. God loves every person, and He knows “everyone” needs His Son Jesus as their “Savior”. The “Pharisee” believed himself to be a “good man”, however, Jesus will share the real truth about him in the next verses. For now, let all who read these words begin to understand Jesus is the standard of righteousness, and regardless of how “good” a person may think themselves, they all are in need of Him.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus said, “the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".