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woe to the Pharisees and lawyers

If one should ever be tempted to think that Jesus was all mushy and only said "positive" things that would build people's self-esteem, he should read Luke 11:37-54. Jesus goes against any idea that one might have about not offending your dinner host. A Pharisee had invited him to dinner and Jesus first makes a point by not ceremonially washing his hands - which gives an open door for a "real" conversation. One of the things he accuses the Pharisees of doing...

"For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others."


Makes me think - am I disregarding justice and loving God and emphasizing smaller, more insignificant things? It seems like it is one of those things of making an idol out of some good thing. For instance, lately I've been doing tons of reading and strategizing on how to save money on groceries and household items. Basically, trying to reduce the amount I need and spend in my "Household" budget. This is potentially a good and God-honoring task. Several verses from Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 about being a good home-manager and seeking food for my family "like merchant's ships" etc. etc. can be used to support this effort. However, my temptation and yes, my sin, has been to put those things and efforts before loving my husband and children. It has been a temptation to use my "quiet time" in the morning doing internet research instead of concentrating on reading the Scriptures and prayer. I have obviously been "disregarding justice and the love of God" in exchange for something that might be "good", but obviously not in the right priority. Father, forgive me and help me to see this sin clearly so that I may put it off and put on what You consider the right perspective.

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