“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”
—Malachi 3:10

I know this verse has at times been used to manipulate people, and I know some may instantly feel offended when I use it. But the reality is that tithing is a very important subject, because if we’re not surrendered to God in the area of our finances, we’re not fully surrendered to Him.

The reason I believe tithing is so important is because it brings about surrender to God. You see, oftentimes we have a tendency to trust in our finances for security, so when we surrender our finances to God by tithing our income, what we’re actually saying is, “Lord, I’m going to trust in You. You’re the source of my security, not my finances.” Tithing is not about legalism but is rather an act of love, honor, surrender, and trust. That’s why Jesus said we can’t serve both God and money (Matt. 6:24).

You see, tithing goes all the way back to the Book of Genesis before the Law was given when Abraham gave a tenth of all he had to the priest Melchizedek. And Yeshua affirmed it when He said we should show mercy, grace, and peace without neglecting the tithe (Matt. 23:23).

Not only that, but the Lord said when we yield our hearts to Him in this way, it comes back to us in “good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over” into our lap (Luke 6:38). This is because when we surrender to God in the area of our finances, we open our hearts for Him to pour back into it. Beloved, tithing takes faith, and when we operate in faith and open our hearts to God through tithing, we create a channel for Him to fill our lives with His.

Father God, I know You’re calling me to make You Lord of every area of my life. Father, wipe away all the crutches I have relied on to feel secure, including myself and my finances. I surrender my finances to You, and I trust You to meet my every need. You take care of the birds; You will surely take care of me. Help me to never doubt You.

Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider, Rivers of Divine Truth (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2021), Used by permission.