Actually, money may be mightier than both, and the Iran War demonstrates this perfectly.

The US and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28, launching bombs via planes, drones and sea vessels. Within a short time Iran’s leadership were all dead, its military was paralyzed, and its air force and navy completely demolished. Iran launched missiles against Israel and several of their Arab neighbors, inflicting some damage, but these attacks became fewer and fewer. Simply put, Iran was fighting a losing battle.

So they fired their biggest weapon: they closed the Strait of Hormuz.

The war hasn’t ended. Instead, it shifted.

Twenty percent of the world’s oil passes through this waterway. Iran threatened to attack any ships attempting to pass through, and claims to have released mines into the water as well.

Not only did this critical trade route suddenly become dangerous due to the conflict raging around and above the Strait, but now Iran was directly threatening to blow up any ships.

Iran is hoping the economic pain inflicted by the lack of oil supply will break the will of the US and the nations who cooperate with it.

This is now the largest disruption of the oil supply in history. Several weeks into this conflict, gas prices continue to soar, and nations all over the world are figuring out how to deal with this and avoid shortages.

The economic pain is not just from higher prices, but from physical shortages, supply chain disruptions, and increased costs for shipping, insurance, and production.

It is estimated that this is costing $4.7 billion per day in lost oil and liquid natural gas supply, and increased prices. Experts say this closure is projected to cost the world economy $3.57 trillion.

This move has proven more effective than shooting at planes and launching missiles. Iran is playing hardball during peace negotiations, and keeping the Strait closed is their only power play.

Malachi 3:10-11 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

Each declaration God makes is from his Identity and Role as the Lord of Hosts. That term “hosts” is not referring to hospitality. It means military service, troops, a heavenly entourage. Another translation reads, “The God of angel armies.”

God is telling his people to cooperate with him financially, and speaks of himself as the God of war while doing so.

We would expect him to call himself the Treasurer of heaven, or the Banker of heaven, but he doesn’t. He is teaching us that money is a weapon in spiritual warfare. This is not coincidental nor incoherent.

Our enemy is going to do things to harm us economically, whether directly attempting to harm you and your enterprise, or even indirectly via restricting the flow of resources to you (or those who depend on you).

But the Lord of heaven and earth says, when you are allied with Me, I will fight for you.

My goal in writing this is not to criticize or defend the Iranian conflict. Instead I want to help you understand that when you give tithes and offerings, you are engaging in spiritual war. It is spiritual offense and self-defense. It also activates God’s desire and ability to protect and fight for you. The God of Heaven’s Warriors says, “I will rebuke the destroyer.”

Money is spiritual and Satan fights against you economically. As Christians, our battle and our weapons are not physical, but spiritual. From time to time we will all face financially challenges. For the foreseeable future we will all be subject to the consequences of this war, but we have a transcendent promise from the God of the army of heaven. He will fight for us and defeat our true enemy.

Your tithe is an act of war. Keep tithing. Keep fighting.

This is how I fight my battles.