Matthew 23:13-39

“You fools and blind men; which is more important, the gold, or the temple that sanctified the gold?” (v17).  Religious leaders like the Pharisees substituted the secondary, outward shell of religion from its real Source: God Himself.  They emphasized the offerings and the temple (v19) instead of the One who dwelled in the Temple (v21).  They taught about tithing, but they forgot “justice and mercy and faithfulness” (v23).  Jesus said that by neglecting the condition of their hearts, they had become inwardly “full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (v27).

Outward “good works” please God when they flow from love-filled hearts.