Dear Heavenly Father,
I had a conversation with a coworker about saving money and investing it into a retirement and life insurance plan, or some other avenue that might earn a nice return. I was impressed with his knowledge and how he’s thinking about the future at such a young age. He told me that he set up a plan a little while ago. He’s having at least 10% withdrawn from his paycheck, so it can be deposited into his retirement plan. When hearing this, before I knew it, I said, “Hope you’re investing into the Kingdom with tithing 10%. That’s the best investment you can make.”
Father, immediately after speaking these words, I imagined what his response was going to be. We’ve had conversations about spiritual matters before, and he finds it challenging to apply faith when it comes to his finances. He said to me, “I don’t want to give to a pastor that could use my money for his own benefit.” This isn’t my first time hearing this sentiment expressed. I’m sad to say that I’ve heard it said many times, and quite a few of the people who feel this way are believers.
Even though I’ve heard it all before, I must admit that I’m still shocked to hear people express this attitude. They invest their money into all kinds of institutions. They purchase clothing made by laborers that work under harsh conditions and are oppressed by their bosses who pay them pennies for their work. Yet, the person that refuses to tithe will not even consider the reality that they are making this unscrupulous boss richer. People purchase cars, homes, and other goods from millionaires that are getting richer from unfair business practices. Yet, most of us don’t give crooked millionaires a second thought, and fork over our hard-earned dollars for their goods. We do it because we want what we want, when we want it. The world is full of wicked and corrupt systems, and we invest our hard earned dollars in them without batting an eye, yet when it comes to the Kingdom—that’s when folks want to play the character-scrutiny card, and use it as an excuse not to be obedient to Your Word.
You asked in Malachi 3:8(NLT), ““Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” Your Word clearly says that people are robbing You when they refuse to tithe. You, and You alone, will take care of the pastor that is unethical in his dealings. That is Your business. It’s not our business to speculate or judge. We are to do our part by sowing on good ground. It’s the obedience that You are looking for. This is what You are judging us on, whether we will place our faith in You and do what You have asked.
On judgement day, You will most definitely hold us accountable for not sowing into Your Kingdom. Please open our eyes to this. If any person has a heart to do what You’ve asked and if they truly want to be obedient, all they need to do is to ask You if they should tithe. You said in James 1:5(NKJV), “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Your Word is not open to speculation. Please help us to draw closer to You and to see that tithing is not a burden. It is a wonderful spiritual practice. You’ve given it to us to demonstrate our allegiance to You.
Thank You for guiding us into the truth regarding tithing, so that we do not serve or worship money. Instead, we must understand that all blessings come from You, and we should consider it an honor to give back to Your Kingdom. Thank You for our precious and powerful Lord and Savior. Thank You for the extraordinary gift of Holy Spirit and thank You for all Your many blessings. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“To Tithe Or Not to Tithe”, written by K. Lizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2020. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.