The Tzedakah Rule

Sunday, February 7, 2021

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:1) Messiah says: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men, to be seen of them... When you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." Notice what Messiah calls righteousness. According to Messiah, righteousness consists of giving to the needy. In most synagogues, there's something called the "Tzedakah Box," a container you put money into to help the poor and needy. Tzedakah is a Hebrew word for righteousness, not charity. In English, there is a difference between the two. Too often we separate the two. We become hyper-spiritual in the wrong way, and we talk of a righteousness that has little to do with real life, or love, or blessing others. We speak of the righteousness of God, but we act unloving to those around us. We speak of holiness but live self-centered and stingy lives. But in Hebrew, there's no difference between righteousness and generosity. And neither is there a difference with our Hebrew Lord. So get the two together. Do an act of Tzedakah today - for Messiah is your Tzedakah and Tzedakah must be your life.

From Message #467 - Secret Alms And Closets