Expert: Mel and Guyna Horne - 2/6/2012

Question
Hello and thak you for your time!

What does the reference to Honour thy Father and Mother in Mt 15:1-11 and Mark 7:5-16 mean?

Are they teaching that there is a Biblical mandate to provide for your parents when they are old and the scribes and pharisees were saying that if you give a gift to the temple than you were not obligated to provide for your parents and Jesus said
they made the Word of God of none effect by their actions.

What if the child is married and has their own family now?

Thanks again

Answer
Hi Zeek,

You asked about the reference to the fifth commandment in Mat. 15 and Mk. 7.

In addition to Mat. 15 and Mark 7, Christ quoted the fifth commandment in Mat. 19:19, Mk. 10:19 and Lk. 18:20, showing that it is still in effect.  He also spoke of honoring our heavenly Father in Jn. 2:23 and 8:49, an application that is being ignored when some say the Commandments are no longer in effect.  

Paul repeated the fifth commandment in Eph. 6:2, showing it is still in effect after the death and resurrection of Christ.  The New Testament shows all ten are still in effect after the resurrection of Christ.

If our parents have needs and we are able to help them, then to refuse would not only be dishonoring them, it would be a violation of the "great law" of showing love for one another (Mat. 22:35-40).

If anyone who is a true follower of Christ has needs and we refuse to help, when we are able, then we have failed to do what is expected of us and risk losing access to God's Kingdom (Mat. 25:31-46).

The mention of corban or "gift" in Mk. 7 is a reference to a Jewish "tradition" (as opposed to God's laws in Gen.- Deu.).  By this "tradition", a person could designate property or wealth as being promised to the Temple, upon the death of the owner.  By doing this, the owner could enjoy the use of, or the income from, such property or wealth until his death, even if his parents were impoverished and they could have benefited from the use or sale of it for their needs.  It was about selfishness and greed, not about giving to God. This is why Christ said it made the law of God "of no effect".  God's laws are for our benefit, so that we can receive blessings.  Man's laws and traditions, when they differ from God's laws, have the opposite effect.

The word corban in Mk. 7 comes from the Hebrew qorban, translated as offering in Lev. 1:2 and in about 80 other places as offering, oblation, or sacrifice.

God's law of love teaches us to help one another and to share our excess with others who have genuine needs, especially if they are part of our physical or spiritual family.
However, as with all of God's laws, there are additional considerations.  While we are to "turn the other cheek" (not seek revenge, not hate), we are not required to look for opportunities to be physically beaten by others, and we also have the option of "fleeing" danger or persecution whenever possible.

Under God's plan of blessings for obedience, it would not be necessary for either adult children or their parents to provide the other.  However, we live in a world that is mostly filled with curses rather than blessings and there are reasons for that (Pro. 26:2).   We bring many of them upon ourselves and we can also suffer because of the unrighteousness of those around us or over us.

Even after a person repents and is forgiven, he may still suffer from the effects of previous sins.  A sober alcoholic may have to live with liver damage.  An ex-smoker may have to live with COPD.  A repentant murderer may still have to serve a prison term.  God can heal us of any disease and deliver us from any situation, but sometimes the answer is "not yet" and sometimes it is "no" (2Cor. 12:7-10).

Therefore, those who are having financial difficulties are not necessarily suffering because of a lack of repentance.  God gives us trials to bring us to repentance and after repentance, to test our faith.  Frequently, we bring them upon ourselves.

In every situation, there are many variables. How great is the need?  Is help available elsewhere? Can you help without impoverishing your own family? Is it about getting minimum food, clothing and shelter, or is it about maintaining a "comfortable lifestyle"?

Different cultures have different values and "traditions".  God and his law are above all that.  He is not a respecter of persons or their human "traditions" (Acts 10:34).  

Age, birth order, marital status and offspring do not negate the parent-child relationship (aside from setting up a separate household for each married couple, Gen. 2:24).   The commandment to honor one's parents, does not expire upon one's marriage.

It was not God's intention that parents become a burden to their children, or that adult children continue to be a burden to their aging parents, but in a world that is mostly influenced by Satan (Rev. 12:9), we see both situations.  
Today, national and world politics, the environment, the climate, social issues, religious conflict, terrorism, conflict in the Mid-East, and the world's economies are all causing the world to stagger toward the events described in Revelation as the Great Tribulation.  As government economies fail, families and friends will increasingly look to one another for help in different ways.

"And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."  (Mat. 24:10-13).

The first place to seek all our needs is the Father, through the name of Jesus Christ.  He can help us when no one else can.  He can also protect and provide for us in spite of the events around us.  However, our purpose cannot be to save ourselves.  "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."  (Mat. 16:25).

If we love God above all else, and others above ourselves, then God will take care of all our own needs.  (Mt. 6:19-34).

We hope this helps in some way. If you have further questions, feel free to write anytime.

Sincerely,

Mel and Guyna