According to the gospel of Mark, corban is a gift given to God. When the Pharisees ask Jesus why he breaks the tradition of handwashing before meals, Jesus with his wise self takes the conversation in a different direction. He condemns the Pharisees as hypocrites because of their practice of corban (Matthew 15: 3-6).
It is an admirable and honorable act when persons take on the responsibility of providing some health care to a family member or friend. It requires a person sacrificing and giving up some of their freedoms in order to carry out this good deed. Sometimes persons are left all alone because there is no one who is willing or able to take on the responsibility. When a spouse, parent, child or someone else is unable physically or mentally to care for themselves, it is truly a blessing to see persons step in to care for them. The hope is that persons would do it because of the genuine love for another person, but too often it may be for personal gain.
In contrast to the above are instances when persons are willing to aid and assist others during difficult times, but too often it is not because they really care or love the persons. Sometimes it is to take advantage of a person’s life savings or assets. In the state of California, it is referred to as financial elder abuse when the elderly are taken advantage of. In most cases it is simply referred to as exploitation. Exploitation is simply the act or process of taking advantage of an elderly person by another person or caregiver whether it is for monetary, personal or other benefit or gain.
Too often people are neglected and even abandoned due to the lack of family support in this regard. Sometimes it is simply the inability to pay for quality care and it puts a person in danger of unattended care.
Now, let’s get to the heart of this message. Someone recently asked the question, “If my parents are in need of care, can I use part of my tithe to help them?” In reading Mattew 15: 5-6, Jesus condemns and criticizes the Pharisees’ practice of consecrating their possessions to God while their parents were in dire need. The Bible does not explicitly say whether tithes can be used to take care of parents, but there is precedent for resolving tithing issues in favor of family needs. It is implied that if the tithe is the only resource you have to help your parents, use part of it to assist them. The thought in this matter is that there are some family members who may feel they have no responsibility for their parents when they are in need.
The nation of Israel was under the law of Moses and was obliged to honor and care for their parents. They sidestepped the law by declaring their possessions were “corban” dedicated to God and therefore did not have to use them to assist aged parents.
In Mark 11:7, Jesus is not condemning the practice of a dedicated offering to the temple but rather the abuse of this practice by the Pharisees and temple authorities. It is a commandment that states that we are to honor our parents and honoring our parents meant that children must support their parents if they fall on hard times. The support for one’s parents is a commandment from God and we are expected to obey it.
The religious leaders of the temple were not helping people fulfill and understand the commandment, rather they focused on what they could receive for use in the temple. They would allow people to dedicate money to the temple when they should have been using it to fulfil the commandment of caring for one’s parents.
1 Timothy 5:8 says, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” It is suggested that believers first help their relatives, then give what should be offered to the church.
One writer suggested that our good deed of providing for a loved one or friend may lead a family member or friend to know Jesus for themselves.
My research revealed that there are 28 states that have in place what are called Filal Responsibility Laws. These laws have been put in place to ensure the elderly are taken care of once they are incapable of taking care of themselves. When elderly individuals cannot take care of themselves, the responsibility falls on the child to take care of them.
The Word of God simply says, “Honor your father and your mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” We can honor our parents by loving them as we love ourselves. Be careful, for if we neglect to take care of our parents, it may result in us needing care in our old age.
I am sure some prosperity pastors will disagree with portions of this message, but I suggest you be the judge.
Just my thoughts!
Robert Earl Slade, Pastor
