Paying Taxes
I’ve been self-employed nearly my whole working career. Taxes are a bit of a sore subject for self-employed because there is no one to do the withholding on their behalf. We must do our own withholding and pay our own social security with no match from an employer. There is great danger when young people are self-employed (I once represented that description!) because of the self-discipline it takes to pay taxes. Those quarterly tax deadlines come quickly.
I used to think taxes where evil until I went to a country with little or no taxes. The roads and the infrastructure were horrible. I don’t want to be misunderstood, I believe that our government bureaucrats and our politicians spend too much money on frivolous things. I also think if our government had to manage a budget like a normal company, our taxes could be lower. I don’t want to get political or super opinionated, but taxation is part of most every country in the world.
Jesus even spoke about taxes. He addresses some religious leaders who were trying to trap Him. Check this out….
15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites.17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
22 His reply amazed them, and they went away. (Matthew 22:15-22 NLT)
I love that Jesus called out their motives, but He didn’t miss an opportunity to teach.
If I’m paying taxes, it means I’m earning money. If I’m paying lots of taxes, it usually means I’m making lots of money. I believe that as a Christ follower, I should pay the taxes that I owe. I believe I should respect government leaders, even if I didn’t vote for them or agree with their ideology. I need to guard my heart and keep a consistent check on my motives that drive my actions and my attitude.
Pressing On!
Dwayne