When I served as pastor for over 30 years, I discovered that upwards of 75% of prayer requests that came in were related to financial problems. I’ve found that many Christians believe their problems relate to finances.  But that’s a myth, a “belief trap.”

The truth is: No believer who is in covenant with God through Jesus Christ has a money problem. They may believe it’s a money problem, but actually, it’s a problem in another area.

They may have an obedience problem

Every one of God’s children could easily be a millionaire if only they would obey God’s Word and practice responsiveness to the Holy Spirit’s voice, and stay connected to Christ’s Great Commission.

Isaiah 1:18-19 AMP
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.
“If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the best of the land.

One translation puts it this way: “If you will only let me help you if you will only obey, then I will make you rich!”

In Malachi, we read about tithing and making offerings to the Lord.

Malachi 3:8-12, Brackets, italics added
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.  [10% + offerings]

[RESULT:] You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, [A person who does not practice tithing will find his or her finances under a curse] Even this whole nation.  [If you read the first two chapters of Haggai, you’ll find the same situation. The people experienced low harvests and all kinds of financial problems because they were putting their own interests first instead of God’s interests]

[SOLUTION:] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try [test/prove] Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, [You must take action on this directive] if will not [Promise 1] open for you the windows of heaven [Promise 2] And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. [Promise 3] “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the Lord of hosts; [Promise 4] “And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts.

Before every outrageous financial blessing, God requires outrageous obedience in finances.

I remember a man who told me he couldn’t tithe to the church for a few years because he was tithing to his daughter in college. That’s disobedience. The Scriptures say, “The tithe is the Lord’s.” (Leviticus 27:30)  And Jesus said, “You should tithe without neglecting other important things (Matthew 23:23).

Another person told me that God didn’t heal her teeth, so she was using her tithe money to pay for tooth repairs. That’s disobedience. There is always a test to prove whether or not you’ll follow God’s plan.

These verses cause many people a big problem.

Matthew 25:29 (NLT)
To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

Luke 16:10-12 (NLT)
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.
And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?
And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

So, it’s clear. The real problem is never a money problem, but maybe an obedience problem. Now, if you are a tither and give generously in offerings, yet are still not experiencing the promises, there could be two other reasons, and I’ll discuss them in another post.

Remember, as a believer; you don’t have a money problem.