Friday, May 31, 2013

May 31: 2 Chronicles 4-6; Psalm 122; Romans 13

"Pay to all what is due them --- taxes to whom taxes are due." (Romans 13:7)

As Christians, we should be supportive of taxes.  What?!?  Come on, everyone hates taxes.

What are taxes, exactly?  They are how we, as a community, have decided to pool our abundance in order to make sure that everyone has enough.  Of course, we often feel like we don't have abundance.  Maybe people with all new cars, big houses, those who can afford to go on vacations....they have abundance, but us??

Most of us have abundance if we define abundance as more than we need.  So often, we define it based on what we want, not what we need.  In America, we recognize that many of us have more than we need, so we give from what we have (taxes) in order to insure that everyone has what they need.

Yes, taxes can be abused and become excessive.  But, unless we no longer feel it is our duty and obligation to care for all people (whatever you do for the least of these....), then we should at least appreciate and support the benefit and "good" of taxes.  While the concept of taxes/tithes did not originate in Christianity, it certainly follows the Way of Jesus and the message of Scripture.

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