| Normally, people save the
best for last. But, I decided I would save the worst for last in
this five part series on the five uses of money. We conclude this
series by talking about taxes. While I understand the Biblical mandate
for paying taxes and obeying authority, I still don't like it. Of
all the things we can do with money (spend it, save it, give it, pay off
debt, and pay taxes), paying taxes is definitely my least favorite (with
paying debt a close second). But, at least when I pay off debt, there's
a chance I may have had at least a little fun getting into debt.
Plus, there is an end with paying off debt. I can set a goal and
become debt free. I've heard it said that taxes are like a marriage:
till death do us part. But, even in death, sometimes families have
to pay estate or inheritance taxes. So I guess it's not like a marriage,
which is good because I know I wouldn't want to be in a marriage like that.
In Matthew 22:17-21, the
Pharisees asked Jesus a question, "Now tell us what you think about this:
Is it right to pay taxes to the Roman government or not?" But Jesus
knew their evil motives. "You hypocrites!" he said. "Whom are you trying
to fool with your trick questions? Here, show me the Roman coin used for
the tax." When they handed him the coin, he asked, "Whose picture and title
are stamped on it?" "Caesar's," they replied. "Well, then," he said,
"give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God
must be given to God."
Not to be outdone, the Apostle
Paul wrote this: "Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government
workers need to be paid so they can keep on doing the work God intended
them to do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import
duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due." (Romans
13:6-7)
Federal income tax, state
income tax, local income tax, sales tax, property tax, personal property
tax, capital gains tax, gas tax - the list could go on and on. Research
tell us that in the United States, April 15th, tax day, is one of the most
stressful days of the year. Interestingly, the average American
works until April 30th just to pay their taxes1. Everything you earn
from May 1st to December 31st is yours to keep.
It is for these reasons that
the Internal Revenue Service is probably the most despised government organization.
Similarly, tax collectors were not thought highly of in Bible times (Matthew
11:19; 21:31-32; Luke 3:12-13).
But, even though we dislike
paying taxes, the tax system often seems unfair, and there are far better
things our money could go towards - the Bible commands, yes commands us
to pay our taxes. Romans 13:1-7 makes it clear that we are to submit ourselves
to the government. The only instance in which we are allowed to disobey
the government is when it tells us to do something the Bible forbids. The
Bible does not forbid paying taxes. In fact, the Bible encourages us to
pay taxes. Therefore, we must submit to God and His Word - and pay our
taxes.
The most frequent objection
to paying taxes is that the money is being misused by the government or
even used for evil purposes by the government. We can work to change those
things but in the meantime, we should pay our taxes. When Jesus said, "Give
to Caesar..." the Roman government was by no means a righteous government.
When Paul instructed us to pay taxes, Nero, the most evil Roman emperor
in history, was the head of the government. We are to pay our taxes even
when the government is not God-honoring.
So, what about tax deductions?
We are free to take every tax deduction that is both legal and honest.
We do not have to pay the maximum amount of taxes possible. If the government
allows you a tax break - take it. If there is a legal way you can shelter
some of your money from being taxed - shelter it. By all means, take the
deduction for your children, your mortgage, retirement contributions, charitable
donations, your moving expenses, etc., etc. Again, feel free to take every
legal and honest opportunity to reduce your tax burden. However, illegal
and/or dishonest methods must be rejected. Romans 13:2 reminds us, "Consequently,
he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,
and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."
If you are really fed up
with paying taxes, don't cheat. Consider ways to change the system.
There is a wonderful organization called Americans for Fair Taxation and
they have a website called www.fairtax.org. They have some interesting
ideas for revamping our tax system. I highly recommend you check
it out. Even if you end up not agreeing with their proposal, it will
give you some insight into some possible solutions.
(1) http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/93.html
Tax Freedom Day® will
fall on April 30 in 2007, according to the Tax Foundation's annual calculation
using the latest government data on income and taxes.
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