Ponder: Paying taxes
Scripture: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).
Have you filed your 1040 form? The deadline is approaching! Someone suggested that with a federal budget measured in trillions of dollars, enough ought to be set aside to teach the IRS basic English so they could write tax forms that we can understand!
Complaining about taxes is probably as old as taxes themselves. First-century Jews had more to complain about than we do. Still, Jesus told them to pay Caesar what belonged to him (Matthew 22:21). Paul echoed that point about our duty to civil authorities: “For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers . . . Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:6, 7).
Let’s count it a blessing to pay taxes. If that sounds bizarre, think about this: paying income tax means I have been blessed with employment that pays well enough that Uncle Sam wants a slice of my income. Many who are unemployed or underemployed would happily trade places with me.
I am also thankful to have fellow citizens preserving my liberty and safety. Military personnel, police, fire-fighters, and others cannot be expected to work for nothing or perform their tasks without proper equipment. Our taxes enable them to serve us.
I am happy to pay taxes for the support of presidents, governors, legislators, and judges – even those with whom I strongly disagree. What a privilege it is to live in a country where disagreeing with people in high office does not result in arrest, fines, imprisonment, torture, or even death!
We began this devotional with a bit of humor; let’s end it the same way. Income taxes are high, but they could be worse – suppose we had to pay on what we THINK we’re worth?
Song: “Count Your Many Blessings”
Prayer: We praise You, Heavenly Father, for blessing us with income, and with the privilege of paying taxes. We pray for those less fortunate, especially the unemployed and underemployed. In the name of our Savior, Amen.
–Joe Slater
