Kingdom of God

Have You Paid Your Taxes?

DrJayCook Taxes , , , , , ,

April 15 is quickly approaching, and we know what that means.  It is tax day.

I will admit that I do not like paying taxes.  I would rather keep more of my money.  Also, I do not always agree with what the money is used to do.

Governments are made up of people who are not perfect and sometimes are selfish.  No matter which way you lean politically, there always are things with which we can find fault.  Most people gripe about government and taxes, but few try to right the wrongs.

For those of us who are Christian, we do not have the right to not do our part.  And, honestly, having to deal with taxes means that God has blessed you financially.  All the receipts that you must wade through are proof that we have what we need.  All of the roads, first responders, and more that we appreciate are because of the taxes.  Truly, perspective is an important thing.

Taxes are not new.  They have been around for centuries and centuries.  In Jesus’ day the Jewish people paid taxes locally and to the Roman Empire.  And people griped about it then, too.  But Jesus said (in Matthew 22:21), “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Christians do not have the right to not do our part.  Of course, we should know that our true and ultimate citizenship is in God’s Kingdom, and we are traveling through this world.  But we must do our part and pay our part.

We must not forget that our governing authorities are allowed by God.  Because of that we are told in Romans 13:5-7: “Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience.  And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks.  Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.”

I know.  It hurts to pay taxes.  But it is what God allows and expects of us.  Let us try to look on the bright side, and let us do what we can to make our nation what it should be.

Consider learning more about being part of God’s Kingdom in the following resource…

What Do People See in You?

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John Hess-Yoder was a missionary in Laos.  While overseas he discovered some historical facts about the area that pictures the Kingdom of God.

Before the colonialists decided where the official boundaries of Laos and Vietnam would exist, the kings of Laos and Vietnam agreed on how to choose who would pay taxes to which kingdom.  Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated their houses with Indian-stye serpents were considered Laotians.  Those who ate long-grain rice, built their houses on the ground, and decorated their houses with Chinese-style dragons were considered Vietnamese.  That is how they decided to which kingdom taxes would be paid.

Nationality was not decided by where a person’s home sat.  Nationality was decided by the cultural values that they exhibited.

That also is true for those of us who are Christians. We all live in this world, and our world has certain beliefs and patterns.  However, if you are part of the Kingdom of God, there is a different standard by which we must live.  We must live for our King.

Philippians 3:20 states: “Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Our goal is not to amass stuff.  Our goal is not to amass power.  Our goal is not to garner popularity.

Our goal is to live for God and His Kingdom.

Yet, we still live here surrounded by other ideas and ideals.  We are tempted to follow along with the culture, but we have an important job that we should be doing instead.  We read what that job is in 2 Corinthians 5:20: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us.  We plead on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God.’”

Instead of allowing a culture in opposition to God to guide us, we must (as ambassadors of God’s Kingdom) encourage others to realize what is truly important.  We must share the hope of Jesus.  We must help others see how they can become part of God’s Kingdom.  We must help others see they need to be reconciled to God.

Consider the following classic to learn more – just click the picture…