Paying Taxes Can Tax the Best of Us
Thieves rarely launch their criminal activities by robbing banks.
It starts on a much smaller scale, perhaps with sweets off a counter, but can rapidly escalate if not challenged. Some of those men (and women) I’ve worked alongside as Prison Chaplain began their life of crime by pinching chocolate bars.
Most sin begins in an almost insignificant manner, but given the characteristics of evil it grows rapidly.
Dishonesty wrecks relationships.
Stealing goes against the Will of God & the Word of God & places a man outside the blessing of God.
Pilfering isn’t & never petty.
Tax evasion isn’t clever. Now most of us do not like paying our taxes, but they’re for the services which go on around us in our communities – for the Police, Education, the Military, the Health Service, & Roads etc., & those who handle the tax billions have a responsibility to do so in a way that is generally acceptable to the majority of the populace.
Some men, who pretended to be honest, approached Jesus Christ with this question, “Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Their intention was to trap Jesus & hand Him over to the governing authority.
Yes, it’s possible to approach Jesus with suspect impure motives, but Jesus saw right though their duplicity. Jesus asked these spies, for that is what they were, for a coin & posed the question, “Whose portrait & inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied.
Jesus continued, “Then give to Caesar what’s Caesar’s & to God what’s God’s.”
They must have been stunned, as Jesus took then further than they had anticipated. They were obviously not giving to God what God was due.
If Caesar gives you with soldiers & protection, pay him. If the Government gives you with Police, Health, Education, Welfare Services, etc. pay up, as you’re able to.
Taxes are not bad. Disciples of Jesus Christ should never complain at having to pay legitimate taxes. We have to pay for Government & that was taught in Israel when it was being ruled by a foreign occupier. It’s a remarkable statement which God has incorporated into His word, but what an encouraging guideline when we have to fill out our tax returns. You’ll find it in Romans Chapter 13 should you wish to check!
Whatever the weaknesses or flaws in the system, & every system has its faults, just visit some of these other nations where the benefits we enjoy in this country are non-existent.
Give to Caesar what’s his – & to God what’s His. Which do you find the more difficult?
Sandy Shaw
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, & Nairn Academy, & serves on The Children’s Panel in Scotland, & has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours & Pilgrimages, & most recently in Uganda & Kenya, ministering at Pastors & Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa & Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, & writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled “Word from Scotland” on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. & B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, & he continues to run & exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
Sandy Shaw
sandyshaw63@yahoo.com
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