Clean and Unclean Foods and Tithes of Treasure and Time
by Pastor Walter Snyder

Q: Are there any restrictions we have far as food? Can we eat pork products? Is there
anything we can or can not eat? What exactly does Mark 7:19 mean when it says
everything is clean? What is ceremonial cleanliness?

A: Some try to impose Old Testament dietary laws upon the Christian Church, Yet already during
Jesus' life, we see that things were changing for life in the New Testament. Many of the
regulations given in the Wilderness (Exodus-Deuteronomy) were exclusively for Israel. Mark
notes that Christ's words (7:14-20) mean that all foods are "clean."

In general, ceremonial cleanliness meant that nothing prevented a person from full worship and
participation in social, governmental, and religious life. The ritual washings noted in Mark 7
reflected a Jewish concern that something coming from the marketplace could possible have been
touched and tainted by someone or something unclean. Thus, before an item was used, it often
received a ceremonial baptism. Even the cushions used for reclining at table were "baptized"
(7:4)---most likely by sprinkling so there wouldn't be a soggy mess at one's banquet.

In Acts 10-11, Peter's vision of the foods provides the object lesson that neither the Gentiles nor
their diets were unclean. Peter later forgot or ignored this, and Paul rebuked him for having such a
double-standard (Gal 2:11-14). When Paul addressed diet in his epistles, it was more in line with
meat that was part of pagan sacrifices being sold and eaten and how this affected the conscience.

Q: I need to ask you something concerning tithing. I have no problem with paying 10% of
my gross or more for tithing. The problem I have is where to pay it. My wife and I are over
the road truckers. We attend our local church once a month on average. We listen to
Christian radio and to various tape ministries. We get more teaching from the tapes and
radio than we do from the local church. So I need to know if I should pay tithing in
proportion to the teaching we get from each ministry, or straight to the local church.
Thank you for your insight and I look forward to your response.

A: As with diet, so also the tithe is only commanded of Israel. Nowhere are Gentiles, nor the New
Testament Church in general, commanded to give ten percent. Christians are free to give
according to the way they are moved by God's love in Christ. Tithing is not bad~, just not an
imperative. If you wish to give more, you are free to do so.

Regarding the ~where~ of giving, first of all consider the expression "~home~ congregation."
Who is your pastor in time of need? Where are the people who know you and who would pray for
you? Do you want the Gospel proclaimed and spread among your family, friends, and
community? While no direct command tells us, I would focus on my own congregation in my
giving. If I receive instruction of value elsewhere, that might be reason to offer a gift. When we
buy or rent tapes, we've already given to whomever provides the message. I might send directly
to radio outreaches, if what I receive is valuable for eternal life.

Q: Can you tell me, what is ten percent of 24 hours in a day to spend with God? How much
time would that be in a day?

A: Again, whether time, talent, or treasure, we have no command to give a specific amount. In
matters of time, why would we want to limit ourselves to one tenth of a day with God? This is
contrary to the apostle's command to "pray without ceasing. (1 Thess 5:17)" Yet it is certainly
good to set aside specific amount of time and special times of the day to read Scripture, ponder it,
and pray. If you desire to discipline yourself to intentionally involve yourself in such activities for
a "tithe" of each day, you'd be looking at 2.4 hours (2 hours and 24 minutes) each day. This is a
commendable goal; think of how Christians would benefit if all of us were immersed in prayer and
Scripture for this much time each day!

Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of
the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version~<TM>, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles.

Ask the Pastor, © 2004 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this
disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution.
Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate
international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others.