2026 Reading Plan Reflections - Day 22

January 22nd, 2026
by Walt Martin

When the Fence Replaces the Law

“For God said, Honor your father and your mother, and The person who speaks against father or mother will certainly be put to death. But you say, ‘If you tell your father or mother, “Everything I’m expected to contribute to you I’m giving to God as a gift,”then you don’t have to honor your father.’ So you do away with God’s Law for the sake of the rules that have been handed down to you.” Matthew 15:4-6 CEB

In Matthew 15:4–6, Jesus exposes something that looks religious on the surface but is rotten at the root. What began as a good desire—to protect God’s law—turned into a system that nullified it.

The religious leaders didn’t reject the commandment to honor father and mother outright. They re-engineered a workaround. By labeling resources Corban (dedicated to God), a person could appear deeply spiritual while excusing themselves from the costly, unglamorous responsibility of caring for aging parents.

Jesus doesn’t mince words. This isn’t faithfulness. It’s hypocrisy—not because the rule existed, but because the rule served self-interest while wearing religious clothing.

The fence around the law grew so tall that it blocked the law itself.

And Jesus goes straight for the heart:
“It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person… but what comes out of the heart.”

This isn’t about handwashing. It’s about misdirected devotion.

A Modern Parallel We Don’t Like to Admit

Here’s where the text presses uncomfortably close to home. It's actually something I've been wrestling with as we approach annual meeting, preparing reports, and reviewing budgets...

Many churches today—including faithful, generous ones like MCN—face a similar tension.

People will give quickly and passionately to causes that move them:

disaster relief
special offerings
benevolence requests
mission projects with compelling stories

None of that is bad. Much of it is beautiful. But when designated giving replaces disciplined giving, something subtle can happen over time.

Giving becomes:

reactive instead of faithful
emotional instead of covenantal
selective instead of trusting

Just like Corban, it allows us to say, “I gave—to God!” while quietly avoiding the less inspiring responsibility of sustaining the church’s shared life and mission.

I get it, operating budgets don’t feel spiritual. Salaries don’t feel missional. Utilities and insurance don’t stir the heart.

But they enable everything else.

When regular, faithful giving erodes, the church’s ability to discern and pursue long-term Kingdom priorities is weakened—not because people are stingy, but because giving has shifted from trust to control.

The Heart Issue Beneath the Practice

Jesus’ concern in Matthew 15 isn’t really about money or traditions—it’s about who decides what faithfulness looks like.

The Pharisees decided for themselves. Designated-only giving can do the same thing.

It subtly says: “I’ll support the parts of the mission I agree with, but I’m not sure I trust the whole.”

That’s not necessarily rebellion. It’s often sincere. But, sincerity doesn’t equal alignment with the vision given to us by the Holy Spirit.

Faithful giving—like honoring parents—is not flashy. It’s costly, steady, and relational. It requires trust in God and in the community God has placed us in.
Jesus isn’t condemning generosity.
He’s calling out generosity that bypasses obedience.

Faith in Action

Faithful, regular, trust-filled participation in the shared mission of God’s people.

For individuals participating in the body:
Ask honestly: Is my giving shaped more by what moves me—or by trust in God’s work through my church?
Consider committing to a regular, proportionate gift before adding designations.

For the church leaders:
Are we teaching stewardship not as fundraising, but as discipleship? Are our budgets tied clearly and transparently to mission?

For all of us:
Pray this simple prayer:
“Lord, cleanse my heart—not just my habits.
Teach me to trust you enough to give faithfully, even when it’s ordinary.”

Corban = religious dedication used to evade moral responsibility.
Jesus exposes it not to shame people—but to call them back to the heart of God’s law, where love of God and love of neighbor are never allowed to compete.
That tension still matters.
And it still forms disciples—if we’re willing to listen.