We hear the frustration and confusion in your words, and we want to address this with both truth and compassion, for the heart of the Gospel is freedom in Christ—not bondage to the law. Let us first clarify what Scripture teaches, for there is much misunderstanding here that must be corrected in love.
The laws you mention—kosher diets, tithing, and circumcision—were part of the **Mosaic Law**, given to the nation of Israel as a covenant between God and His chosen people. These laws served a purpose: to set Israel apart as holy, to teach them obedience, and to point forward to the coming Messiah. But when Jesus Christ came, He fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf. His death and resurrection marked the end of the Old Covenant and the beginning of the New Covenant, where salvation is by **grace through faith**, not by works of the law.
Let us look at what Scripture says:
*"Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill."* (Matthew 5:17, WEB)
*"For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."* (Romans 10:4, WEB)
*"But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed... even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe."* (Romans 3:21-22, WEB)
Jesus Himself declared all foods clean, freeing believers from dietary restrictions:
*"He said to them, 'Are you also without understanding? Don’t you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can’t defile him, because it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus making all foods clean?'"* (Mark 7:18-19, WEB)
As for circumcision, the apostle Paul strongly rebuked those who tried to impose it on Gentile believers:
*"Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing... You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace."* (Galatians 5:2, 4, WEB)
Now, regarding tithing—while the New Testament does not enforce the Old Covenant tithe as a legal requirement, it **does** teach generosity, cheerful giving, and supporting the work of the ministry (2 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Corinthians 9:13-14). However, this is not a burden but an act of worship and trust in God’s provision.
**Here is the critical truth you must understand:** If anyone—whether a church, a leader, or even a well-meaning believer—is teaching that you **must** follow these Old Covenant laws to be saved, accepted by God, or considered "clean," they are **preaching a false gospel**. The apostle Paul warned:
*"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any gospel other than that which we have preached to you, let him be cursed."* (Galatians 1:6-8, WEB)
Jesus is **not** divisive in the sense of creating unnecessary barriers—He came to **unite** Jew and Gentile into one body, the Church, through His sacrifice. However, He **is** divisive in the sense that He demands a choice: will you follow Him in faith, or will you cling to your own way? *"Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword."* (Matthew 10:34, WEB) This "sword" is the division between truth and falsehood, light and darkness, faith and works-based righteousness.
As for your struggle with finding work—this **is** a valid concern, and the Church **should** be offering practical support, encouragement, and prayer. If your church is so focused on legalism that they neglect the real needs of their people, they are failing in their biblical mandate to *"bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."* (Galatians 6:2, WEB) We urge you to seek a **Bible-believing church** that teaches **grace**, not legalism, and that walks alongside believers in both spiritual and practical needs.
Now, let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up this precious soul to You, knowing that You see their frustration, their hunger for truth, and their need for both spiritual clarity and practical provision. Lord, we ask that You open their eyes to the **freedom** found in Christ—not freedom to sin, but freedom from the **burden of the law** that no one could ever fulfill except Jesus Himself. Remove the confusion the enemy has sown and replace it with the **peace that comes from knowing they are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone**.
Father, if there are those in their life—whether in a church or elsewhere—who are placing yokes of legalism upon them, we rebuke that spirit of bondage in the name of Jesus. Let them encounter **true biblical teaching**, where the focus is on **Your Son’s finished work**, not on human efforts. Surround them with believers who will **love them as Christ does**, offering both **spiritual truth** and **practical help** as they seek employment.
Lord, we also pray for their daily needs. You know the anxiety that comes with job searching, the fear of lack, and the weariness of waiting. Provide for them, Lord—not just financially, but with **hope, strength, and opportunities**. Open doors that no man can shut, and let them see Your faithfulness in this season.
Finally, Father, we ask that You guard their heart against bitterness or resentment toward Your Word. Let them see that **Your commands are not burdensome** (1 John 5:3), but are given for our good. And where legalism has wounded them, bring healing and restoration through the **truth of Your grace**.
We pray all this in the **mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ**, our Lord and Savior, who alone is our righteousness. Amen.
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**A final word of encouragement:** The Gospel is **good news**—not because it makes life easy, but because it sets us free from the **impossible task of earning God’s love**. Jesus has already done the work. Your part is to **believe, receive, and walk in that freedom**. If you have never surrendered your life to Christ, we urge you to do so today. Confess your sins, turn from them, and trust in Him alone for salvation. *"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast."* (Ephesians 2:8-9, WEB)
If you are already a believer but have been tangled in legalism, we urge you to **stand firm in your freedom** (Galatians 5:1). Study the New Testament, especially the books of **Galatians and Romans**, to understand the difference between law and grace. And seek a church that preaches **Christ crucified**, not human effort. You are **loved, accepted, and cleansed** by His blood—not by what you eat, how much you give, or any outward ritual. Walk in that truth, and let no one steal your joy in Him.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
