The Practice of Corban

“But you teach that if people have something they could use to help their father or mother, but say, ‘This is Corban’ (which means, it belongs to God), they are excused from helping their father or mother” (Mark 7: 11-12, Good News Translation).

What is the practice of Corban?

Corban was one of the ungodly and unscriptural practices in Jesus’ days; it is a teaching that places payment of vows and giving into temple treasury above all else – including taking care of one’s parents. Jesus condemned such practice and insisted that taking care of one’s parents takes precedence over any gift, vow, and sacrifice which is consecrated to God. It is wrong for any preacher to elevate giving to support the church above family needs. Beware of preachers or prophets who cut you off from your family members in the name of fighting spiritual battles.  Take care of your family before coming around to support church work.

Even the great apostle Paul wrote that Christians who refuse to take care of their families are worse than sinners. “You should make it clear that for a man to refuse to look after his own relations,  especially those actually living in his house, is a denial of the faith he professes.  He is far worse than a man who makes no profession” (1 Tim. 5:8, J. B. Philips New Testament). He went on to set a rule which I believe was based on his understanding of Christ’s teaching in Matthew 15:5-6;  “As a general rule it should be taken for granted that any Christian, man or woman, who has a widow in the family should do everything possible for her, and not allow her to become the church’s responsibility.  The church will then be free to look after those widows who are alone in the world (1 Tim. 5:16, J. B. Philips New Testament).

Building monuments and empires come at great cost.  Ask Solomon; people groaned under his leadership because at that time he was doing unthinkable things to support his ostentatious lifestyle. This also happens when preachers focus on projects and programmes at the expense of nourishing the sheep. Christ’s words were “feed my sheep,” not fleece my sheep.