Common Good

Common Good

Back to Taxation, Public Revenue and the Common Good

Trusting God in Financial Matters

Ordinary Time (Second Section)Taxation, Public Revenue and the Common GoodWeek 36 · Day 7

Scripture References

Read First

Old Testament

Malachi 3:8-12

8 Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings.

9 You are cursed with the curse; for you rob me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says the LORD of Armies, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be enough room for.

Read 2 more verses

11 I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before its time in the field,” says the LORD of Armies.

12 “All nations shall call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of Armies.

New Testament

Hebrews 13:5-6

5 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”

6 So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Thought for the Day

Malachi accuses the people of “robbing” God by withholding the tithe. It is a sharp word, but its aim is not shame for shame’s sake. The Lord speaks like a faithful Father to a household that has grown fearful: bring what is due, return to steadiness, and see whether I will not provide. This is not a promise that believers can manipulate God into prosperity. It is a call to trust him rather than hoard.

Show 146 more words

Hebrews echoes the same quiet command: keep your life free from the love of money; be content with what you have. Why? Because God has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The ground of contentment is not comfort, but presence.

Money makes cowards of us. It tempts us to imagine that we are safe only when we are in control, and to treat generosity as an optional extra. Yet the Lord is not merely a giver of gifts; he is our helper. He asks for open hands because he offers a held life.

Lord, free us from anxious grasping. Teach us faithfulness in giving, honesty in paying what we owe, and contentment that does not depend on circumstance. Make us heirs who trust our Father, and citizens who carry money with humility, so that our finances become a place of worship and peace.

Prayer Points

Respond
  • Deliver us from greed and anxious hoarding; teach us contentment grounded in your presence.
  • Give households wisdom under financial pressure; provide work, provision, and wise counsel.
  • Make our giving faithful and unshowy, supporting the poor and sustaining the life of the Church.
Show 2 more prayer points
  • Give integrity in taxes and debts; free us from evasions and quiet self-justifications.
  • Strengthen those who feel afraid of the future; let your promise, “I will not forsake you,” become courage.
Continue Reading Journey