A Prayer About Tithing

When I give back to God

GOD ABOVE,

All I have comes from you. How then could I ever hold back from you anything meant to be used in your service? I admit that I am tempted, Lord, to do just that, especially when the offering plate is passed and my funds are low. Through the prophet Malachi you made very clear that the people were cheating you. They needed to present their tithes (10 percent) to the Temple for your work, but they were resisting. Do I ever cheat you, God? Forgive me for being cheap with you. I should give joyfully and gratefully, not out of obligation or guilt. I also need to change my monthly procedures and write the checks to the church and other ministries first, instead of waiting to see what is left over. And I should give generously from all my resources, not just financial. Teach me, Lord. Use tithing to stretch my faith.

[The Lord said,] “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. . . . Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:8, 10