“This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Romans 13:6-7)
Time to pay taxes. i never enjoy tax season. However, the Bible clearly states i should pay the taxes i owe my government. i benefit from the goods and services provided by the government. Therefore i should be willing to pay for those goods and services. Does God want me to pay taxes when i don't agree with how my governing authorities behave?
Paul would say yes. Without taxes i would have no police, fire fighters, army, etc. to protect me. Paul argues that governing authorities exist as God's servants. Rulers will answer to God when they abuse their power. If i don't like what my elected officials are doing, i can write them, i can protest, and i can vote for someone else. Surely these are benefits worth paying for.
i don't enjoy paying taxes. i will pay the taxes i owe, though. i will pay them not because my government says i must, but because God wants me to pay the taxes i owe my city, state, and country.
Posted by Allan at April 15, 2007 07:43 AM