“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

hefelove:
“Woe to you, teachers of the law
and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You
give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill
and cumin. But you have neglected
the more important matters of the
law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.
You should have practiced the latter,
without neglecting the former.

It means as much as tithing is important, what God actually desires is genuine and unconditional righteousness. Without these, any secondary service be it tithing, seed sowing, fasting etc will be detestable before God. In short, our hearts should first of all be right with God before sacrifices become acceptable. It is true that secondary services like tithing, seed sowing etc show that we fear God. But rendering these services without having a contrite heart is a complete paradox and misunderstanding of the order of God's righteousness. See Isaiah 58:1-14, Psalm 51:16-14, Hebrews 10:5-6, 1 samuel 15:22

Jesus did not ask us to be paying tithe in that verse. He simply told them that they left what matters and were grappling with something that doesn't matter.
The Pharisees were under the law.

hefelove:
“Woe to you, teachers of the law
and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You
give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill
and cumin. But you have neglected
the more important matters of the
law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.
You should have practiced the latter,
without neglecting the former.

It's a perfect distinction between the works of the old testament and the works of the new testament. It's been repeated over and over with phrases like these; Even when blood sacrifices were the only way of worship.

It means Obedience is better than doing other things for God.

Proverbs 21:3 |
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Isaiah 1: 11 |
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

Those Pharisees and teachers of law (who were the religious leaders) were known for their opulence and oppression of the people and at the same time strict observation of the laws of Moses. They lost the whole purpose of Godliness. Being Godly is about living truthfully, right and goodness which shows in relation to other people.

hefelove:
∆ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You
give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the
law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Jesus Christ pronounced curses on the religious elements who would come using His name; they focus on those aspects of His teachings and commandments they find easy to comply with while ignoring all others, particularly those that have to do with justice, mercy , and faithfulness to Him, Jesus Christ in all things.

Kobojunkie:
Jesus Christ pronounced curses on the religious elements who would come using His name; they focus on those aspects of His teachings and commandments they find easy to comply with while ignoring all others, particularly those that have to do with justice, mercy , and faithfulness to Him, Jesus Christ in all things.

See me looking at this thread like; when I write this one