Who are the SHALOM
makers? TZEDAQAH (righteousness) is one of the most
important words in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Bible of Yeshua (the real Jewish
Jesus). The teachings of Yeshua make it very clear that TZEDAQAH is the most important word to him, too. It is absolutely essential
for us to accurately understand what it meant to him.
TZEDAQAH not an abstract notion. It consists in doing what
is just and right in all relationships. Acts of TZEDAQAH result in social stability and ultimately in SHALOM (completeness and
wholeness). An
important part of TZEDAQAH is “almsgiving” -- the obligation to help the poor and needy. This was
considered by Jewish sages of all ages to be one of the cardinal commandments
-- almsgiving
is as important as all the other commandments combined. [ii]
It is the almsgiving
aspect of TZEDAQAH that is the focus of the message and movement of Yeshua.
For many readers today, when they hear the word almsgiving they think of
acts of charity or welfare. Giving charity or providing welfare
for someone in our culture is an option; the giver is doing the needy person a
favor. The needy person often feels indebted or beholden to the giver. TZEDAQAH means something completely different.
● TZEDAQAH is the duty, obligation, and responsibility
of every person possessing the means to give what is needed by the poor to them.
It is not a favor done for them.
● The poor have a legal right to receive TZEDAQAH and recipients are not
indebted or beholden to giver.
● Recipients of TZEDAQAH are obligated to give TZEDAQAH
to those in need.
● The importance of TZEDAQAH reaches far beyond simply meeting the needs of the poor --
it is the foundation of social justice. [iii]
Just
understanding the above information about TZEDAQAH
will transform the way you understand the words of Yeshua.
You (plural) are the light of the world.
A city that is set on a mountain cannot be hid. Nor do they light a lamp and
place it under a bushel, but (they place it) on a lampstand and it gives light
unto all the ones in the house. Thus, let your light so shine before men, so that
they may see your TOV works and glorify your Father in heaven.[iv]
What’s the message? If you understand this, you will
understand the central message of Yeshua and mission of his movement.
(1) Your life is the
light of the world.
(2) Let the light of
your life shine through your acts of TOV (good) works.
(3) When others see
you doing acts of TOV they will glorify your Father in heaven.
The Hebrew word TOV
is another extremely important words in the Hebrew Scriptures. It appeared
seven times in the first account of Creation. It is the standard the Creator
used to measure His acts of creation.
For
an act to be TOV it must protect life, preserve life, make life more functional,
and increase the quality of life.
The three key words of the message of Yeshua are TZEDAQAH, TOV and SHALOM. Keep the
following in mind anytime you read the words of Yeshua, because it is usually “the
moral of every lesson he taught.”
Almsgiving acts of TZEDAQAH (righteousness) are acts that measure up to the Creator’s TOV Standard, which result in SHALOM – making lives of the people who received the alms more complete, total
and whole – and also making the creation more complete, total and whole. When
people do acts of almsgiving, they reveal the image of the Creator on the earth
in their generation.
What
do you think would happen in our world today if “believers in Jesus” became “followers
of Yeshua” and revealed the image of the Creator on the earth today? The answer is that our world, and the lives
of many people, would become more complete, total and whole. For 2,000
years Christian churches have been preaching “believe in Jesus” and look at the
results.
We
have witnessed what happens when “believers in Jesus” understand the teachings
of Yeshua – they stop believing institutional
doctrines and start revealing the image of God through their acts of TOV.
Christian
churches have be arguing, fighting and splitting for the past 2,000 years. It
is estimated that over 75% of Americans identify themselves as Christian, but
they belong to over 30,000 denominations and para-denominations. None of them –
as far as we know – are teaching the message above of Yeshua. What do you think
Yeshua would like to be remembered for?
A lot people believing conflicting theologies about
him but required to do nothing?
or
A lot of people revealing the image of God through
their acts of TOV and not required to belief man-made theologies .
I
thought this would be a good lesson to ponder as we come to the end of 2014. I
truly believe that most of the issues we are facing today could be resolved if just
Christians could learn to understand the voice of Yeshua in their Bibles so
they can make his messages realities in their lives, homes, businesses &
churches.
Let’s
make this a New Year’s resolution for 2015 and unleash the healing power of SHALOM.
Jim
Myers
Biblical
Heritage Center
PS:
This is probably one of the most important blogs I have written so far. Please
share it with others. If you agree that is an important message, please let me
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page by clicking here – and -- “Like”
it.
There
is still time to make a year-end donation that will help us fund this work in
2015. The more funding we receive the
more we can do to get the message of the Real Yeshua out. Be a doer and act by donating now. For information or to make an online
donation -- click here.
TZEDAQAH – TOV – SHALOM in 2015!
Thank You &
Be Empowered!
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