WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT PAYING TAXES

I know of nobody who delights in paying taxes. Every April the fifteenth in America and April thirtieth in Canada, people rush to get their tax forms filled in before the deadline. In fact, Revenue Canada stays open until midnight so nobody has an excuse for missing the deadline.

Though I hate every scandalous waste of taxpayer money, I realize that paying taxes is the right thing to do. Even the Bible says we should pay taxes. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 13:6 and 7, "For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending  continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to  whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." He wrote this during the time when the Roman empire  ruled much of the known world. Compared to the people of that time, we have it so easy.

Back in the days of ancient Israel, God appointed taxes to be paid to the priests, judges, and kings. Numbers 31:41reads, "And Moses gave the tribute, which was the LORD'S heave offering, unto  Eleazar the priest, as the LORD commanded Moses." Not only were there set amounts but God allowed for donations to help his theocracy thrive. Deuteronomy 16:10 says, "And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute  of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as  the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:"

Unfortunately, though it was part of God's plan, one king greatly upset the citizens by saying he would raise already-high taxes. First Kings 12:18 reads, "Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel  stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem." Even so, I don't suggest we do that today to our taxation departments.

Nevertheless, even Jesus paid taxes. Matthew 17:24 -27 says, "And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money  came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 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?  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 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." Of course I don't recommend a fishing trip to pay your taxes.

Though God requires Christians to pay taxes to the governments he puts in place for his own glory, we in the west have recourse when it comes to our elected leaders to protest their actions. This is the reason I joined the Wildrose Alliance Party. I also have written to prime ministers and premieres regarding my concerns. As long as we have the freedom to plead our case with our leaders, we ought to do so for the good of our lands and for God's glory.

Though I never mentioned my political beliefs in How I Was Razed, this testimony shows how God providentially led me to the peace I now enjoy. Visit Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Virtual Bookworm Publishers to read more about my memoir.