Prayer To Honour God With Our Money Even During Tight Times

 Taxes

We hear a lot about taxes.  We’ve certainly been pointed ad nauseum for the past 4+ years to the tax returns of President Donald Trump

I’m wondering these days about what our own taxes will look like going forward as we assume the incredible amounts of debt that have resulted from heart-stopping amounts of government spending that have taken place so far in this pandemic and continue with no end in sight.

With an election next month locally, politicians are out promising the sky with this new program and that if they are elected.  It’s not their own money they will use to finance these programs and so we need to think carefully about who we elect.  At the same time, we need to be honest to pay our fair share, with thanksgiving, for all that God has blessed us to earn and have a heart for the less fortunate. 

Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”  But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me?

Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

Matthew 22:17-21

So Loving God, we thank You for this day and for Your abundant provision for all our needs.  So many in the world are struggling just to find basic necessities and we have houses, food, and clothing.  Give us grateful and generous hearts to do what is needed to share with others, even when it is done through government programs that are not altogether run the way we wish they would be.

You’ve told us that it’s not just about money when You said:

Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.  Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

Romans 13:7-8

Honestly, sometimes the tougher task is the giving of honour and respect, not just having taxes deducted from our pay cheques. Give us wisdom to know how to do that when those who are in government sometimes seem so flawed.  You clearly said that our obligation is to love one another and so we ask that You help us keep our focus there today.  It’s so easy to get riled up about money and how our taxes are wasted through greed and graft by politicians but that’s a waste of our energy most of the time.  Instead, would You quiet our hearts today and help us to do all we can to serve You well with our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and with our money.

You have told us to give a tithe to you and You promise great blessing when we do.

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! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Malachi 3:10-11

We know that our ultimate provision and well-being comes from You and so we pray to honour You above all else, including the money we think we need for our security today and into the future.  Help us to open up our wallets and bless our local church and other ministries that are blessing others.  Thank You that although everything belongs to You already, You want to bless us so much that You ask us to trust You by giving to You.  Help us not to hold a warped view of You because of the way governments waste and misuse our taxes.  Help us to be generous.  We know that we can never outgive you because You always pour back so much more into our lives than we can ever give You.  Amen