Tax Time

Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

You talk about your withholding! The coin was being kept in the fish's mouth so Jesus could pay His taxes. In these verses, Peter has to "angle" for the tribute money.

I have noticed something this year that disturbs me. More and more people are totally dependent on tax returns for getting over the hump. When they don't get the amount they were expecting, or when it has to be applied to another need than for what it was earmarked or if it came in late, they were pretty perturbed. It shows that we shouldn't be depending on such things as uncertain riches which have a tendency to take wings and fly away. (I Tim 6:17, Prov 23:5)

A friend of mine, a little miffed by having to pay in this year rather than receiving a refund, asked me if the Bible says we have to pay taxes.

We began to look up the Scriptures which applied and were a bit overwhelmed by the vast amount of verses showing that it is right to do so.

But of all the verses, nowhere does it say that we are to be over-taxed or even that we are to pay them with joy and happiness. But, we are to pay taxes. Paul and Jesus taught that we are responsible, even under despots like Herod and Caesar!

I pray that God will give you grace to get your taxes paid and that you might have enough of a refund to be a blessing to His work this year.