39 But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness. 40 “You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41 “But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you. Luke 11:39–41 (NAS)
The Pharisees were all about jots and tittles. They strived for religious impeccability, yet inside were full of “robbery and wickedness.” Jesus suggests in an artful way that sincere generosity emanating from the inside is also necessary.
I see it as tantamount to the giving of these concealed evils away like one who gives to some charity. As if there was a box on the street corner where we frequently visit to discard old habits, vile thoughts, malicious feelings, and covetousness. Actually, no amount of charity we might display will do anything toward our sanctification without sincerity.
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