MoneyWalk 43: Should I pay taxes?

This program will help you undo financial bondage.

Some are teaching that the government has no right to collect taxes. One argument is that Christians do not have to pay taxes because they are free from the law of man. A similar argument is your allegiance is to God only and therefore you don’t owe the government anything you didn't borrow from it. Another argument is our elected officials have no right to enact laws requiring taxes because the constitution does not allow it. Another argument is taxes oppress citizens and therefore must be fought against at all costs and left unpaid if thrust upon you.

These arguments can seem rational to a carnal minded person, however when compared against bible instruction they are invalid. Jesus answered them all by saying, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and render unto God what is God's." He also instructed Peter to pay taxes for both of them and provided for the payment through miraculous means. Later the Apostles Paul and Peter, in their writings inspired by the Holy Spirit, instructed Christians to obey government rulers and to pay taxes because the government provides some important benefits for the welfare of the people.

Obeying government regulations applies to each situation that does not result in disobeying God’s commandment to worship Him, disciple believers, and evangelize the unsaved. It is true that a government could raise the amount of taxation to such an enormous level that it causes people to rebel against it. One of the early fights of our American forefathers was against taxation without representation. Yet, for the believer God is sure to provide those who follow His financial principles more than enough to pay taxes charged by the government.

Let’s be clear, it is not un-patriotic to take advantage of every legal option to reduce your taxes to the lowest possible level. Finding an honest accountant to complete your tax forms can help you in that endeavor and may help make sure that you are not paying any more than you absolutely have to pay. With some of the extra that is left over you should consider freely giving to help spread the gospel and meet needs of the poor, oppressed, orphans, and widows in various parts of the world.

Please email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!
1Kings 12:12-16, Matthew 17:24-27, 22:17-22, Romans 13:1-8, 1Peter 2:13-17
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