Romans 13:1-2,6-7
Every person is to be subjection to the governing authorities. For there is NO authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resist authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
For because of this you also pay taxes for rulesr are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them; tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom is due; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
I look at this statement and recognizes it is the purpose of Christ! It's not about the money, it's about what is due. Specifically for servants of the LORD; we owe Honor and Fear to our Lord. Obedience to follow his commands and do His will.
Other good passages on Taxes: Luke 20:19-26, Matt 22:15-22, Matt 23:1-2, Matt 17:24-27
Pay taxes. It's just money. AND since you do not worship money don't fear giving it to where it's due. We either serve money or Jesus-Matt 6:24
Focus instead on what treasure you seek.
Earthly wealth or heavenly wealth!
When we spend more time discussing, often complaining and griping, but mainly focusing time, energy, and actions on the governement, and more specifically paying taxes, that overshadows Jesus and becomes an idol and that's the side people hear from us. How often is that the approach or the topic discussed between strangers and with friends. It should be Christ Crucified!
1 Corinthians 1:23
But we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness.
1 Corinthians 2:2,6-7
For i determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified.
Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory.
We need not contend or use the worldy logic of "unfair taxes are wrong and unjust" we need focus on Truth! Christ Crucified!
This should be the words from our mouth and allow God to guide the conversation! He will prepare us with words to say! He has prepared ears to hear!
What is more important?! Preaching a tax law must be changed or Christ crucified!
I am so guilty of this. Before I left for Costa Rica, I was at the Michael's house and we were enjoying each other's company and briefly Chris and I discussed the topic, which was not inherently wrong it's just that my passion for unfair taxes and unfair government was greater than my passion for the lost or the name of the LORD. Granted I do believe Jesus lifts up men and women with gifts to rule governments, both saved and unsaved individuals, but that is not what He has called me for and I need not spend my time on it; instead, I must preach Christ Crucified. As well as, not judge those that do spend their time preach tax law change! For as I measure against others, it will be measured against me; I am not the Judge! Matt 7:1-5, James 4:11-12
Let me know what you think?! Gracias!
4 comments:
So when do we speak up against the "unfair tax and unfair government"? My first thought is that it is not "unfair" but unjust. You seem to be saying that this is a issue of just submitting to God and not questioning the rule of the land? Am i reading in to this?
I’m trying to understand what Christ said and what Paul said and wrote what I thought they were saying from reading those passages.
My first reaction to anything in life, similar to yours, is to question, challenge, and understand right from wrong. Especially when it comes to government, how I live my life, and how I interact with others.
I am not sure that we should do, especially in the case of unfair or unjust. Christ reacted to unjust treatment of whom? The poor, sick, and lost. He didn’t condemn the government, but condemned self-proclaimed righteous religious leaders and spent time with the sinners. He went after people’s hearts.
Read those passages I first included and tell me what you think Jesus and Paul are saying.
Titus 3;1-2
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all men.
In this passage Paul says "to be subject to rulers and authorities". What do we do when those "rulers and authorities" stop "doing whatever is good", they "slander", they are not "peaceable and considerate"?
1 Peter 2:13-17
13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Peter says in verse 14 says "who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right" this is after saying in 13 that "every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority , or to governors". To me it sounds like these authority figures are suppose to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. What do we do if these authorities don't do this? If they don't do this, does that mean they are not placed there by God? Do we remove them?
What do you think?
I will comment on the "faith of the fallen" later.
I think we still submit to those rulers. Because Christ's last command/covenant with us is not to establish the best earthly government but to focus on the next kingdom. That doesn't mean we don't give our input. But make our main focus on Christ and his message of redemption.
Granted, it really depends on what you are called to do. For instance, Jesus was under a corrupt, supprestive and evil government, and for that matter evil religious leaders too.
He came to feed the sheep. Not change government. But I do think he gives some people administrative and political skills, and perhaps they should use them.
I think its like the idea of the difference between a definition of government and the application of government. Governments are suppose to do those things, however, in application they sometimes do and others time false. Then I think we still focus on serving people. That's who Jesus sent us out into the world for; that's who He came after. He didn't want the self-righteous. He wanted the sinners.
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