WHY PAY TAXES?

A greedy, irresponsible multitude of lying, cheating, thieving politicians, bureaucrats, and freeloaders of every description steal, squander, embezzle and waste tons of U.S. (OUR) tax dollars every year. An “Untold Number” of Americans use that fact to justify their own cheating, stealing and lying to the IRS about their income. “Scores” of Americans know all about these two groups and would themselves join in the cheating, lying and stealing but for the fear of being caught, or for the fact that they are employed in such way that prevents it. “Some” Americans, despite their neighbors' thieving behavior, pay the IRS honestly for sake of conscience (Hats off to their parents). A “Few” patriotic Americans pay their taxes honestly, despite their knowledge of the foregoing facts, because its the “American” thing to do. “Christian” Americans (Christians of the real sort) pay their taxes to

the required penny because its the biblical thing to do and would never cheat, even if they could and never be caught. Which group do you fit in?

If you are a member of the “Uncounted Multitude”, the “Untold Number”, the “Scores”, the “Some” and the “Few” Americans mentioned above, you may never have considered the biblical thing to do concerning the matter of taxes. However, I suggest this for any that be curious enough to read on: Before you declare your excuse that government in “Bible Days” was not as corrupt as these days, think for a moment on Roman Dominion, Caesar, Pilate, Herod the Great and the Publicans while you are reading the following Bible Passages:

Matt 22:17-21 [Was paying taxes to a corrupt government lawful in Jesus' eyes?]

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute [Tax money] unto Caesar, or not?

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's [God's image and superscription are upon the life of every Christian believer. We are to render our lives unto Him in complete obedience to His Word, even these Words pertaining to our “rendering to Caesar” the tribute due unto him.]

1 Peter 2:13-16 [Keeping God's ordinances will more than fill the ordinances of man]

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man [Includes tax ordinances] for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well [Keep the ordinances of the Lord and the ordinances of man will be kept. Keep no ordinance of man that violates the biblical ordinance of God]

15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Rom 13:1-8 [Instruction to the church at Rome concerning its submission to civil authority]

13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers [Civil authorities]. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute [Taxes] also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

It is doubtful that the “Uncounted multitude”, the “Untold Number”, the “Some” or the “Few” ever consider the very positive things that result from practicing a “biblical” view of paying Taxes, even to a filthy, perverted and utterly corrupt government. A part of the taxes we pay, howbeit such amount being small when compared to the wasted dollars, go to help with:

1/ All manner of domestic disasters

2/ Foreign aid to hungry and threatened nations

3/ A strong military for our national defense

4/ Law enforcement: FBI; CIA; ATF; DEA; BOP; etc.

5/ Prisons

6/ Social programs

7/ Etc., Etc., Etc.

In final exhortation:

Luke 16:10-11

10 He that is faithful [Keeps God's Word] in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [That which belongs to “Caesar”, including his taxes], who will commit to your trust the true riches? [That which belongs to God]:

Rev 21:7

7 He that overcometh [Even his temptation to cheat Caesar out of his taxes] shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.