There's an old song by the Beatles by that title - a song written as a bit of a protest against the higher level of progressive tax imposed by the UK during the 1960s. Turns out, songwriter George Harrison even put some math into the song...verse 1 sings:

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you nineteen for me

Then, in verse 2:
Should five percent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all

Five percent - who knew rock stars had mad accounting skills?

Like the Beatles, many of us feel like taxes are not super fun to pay right? In fact, I have some friends in ministry who opted out of social security out of conscience. Here's what Jesus said,

Matthew 22:17-21

New English Translation
17 Tell us then, what do you think? Is it right[a]to pay taxes[b]to Caesar[c]or not?”
18 But Jesus realized their evil intentions and said, “Hypocrites! Why are you testing me? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” So[d]they brought him a denarius.[e]20 Jesus[f]said to them, “Whose image[g]is this, and whose inscription?” 21 They replied,[h]“Caesar’s.” He said to them,[i]“Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”[j]

What are Christ-followers to do with taxes? There was a good article in "Got Questions" on this topic (link below). If I could sum it up, taxes are something the Lord expects us to pay for several reasons including basic governance expenses, respect for authority, and honoring God Himself.

With paying taxes, my hope is that we're regularly praying for those in authority to make decisions that honor God and benefit those in need. For me, it's a bit of 'pay and pray' - hand in hand.

May we continue to be both good citizens of our nation and more than that, citizens of the kingdom of heaven!

Respectfully,
Pastor Ben

Got Questions article on taxes 

Photo by The New York Public Library on Unsplash


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