A Taxing Time

Every year during tax season, I read article after article about how our taxes are squandered in various ways.  Whether through social programs, pork funding, or the deficit, each viewpoint identifies what is being done wrong.  It can leave a person feeling misled and cheated.

Taxes have been around since before the Egyptian Pharaohs were directing the building of the Great Pyramids. Even during Jesus' time on earth, the tax question came up. Should we pay taxes?

Matthew 22:15-22  Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.”  So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

In Matthew 17:27, Jesus paid taxes on behalf of himself and Peter (remember the coin in the mouth of the fish?).  So, yes we should pay taxes.  But what about all of the articles about how our taxes are mishandled?  I wonder if anything is being done correctly?  There must be something. The United States of America is a wonderful place to live and work.  Our taxes pay for things like schools, roads, hospitals, the military, the infrastructure of our cities, police and fire departments, and other services we take for granted.

So as I prepare my tax returns, I will remember that I'm giving to Caesar the things that are his, AND I'm giving to God the things that are HIS.  Caesar's things are temporary and may make our lives on earth more comfortable, but God's things are eternal and will make our futures phenomenal!

P.S.  If you are interested in how your taxes money was spent in recent years, check out http://www.whitehouse.gov/2011-taxreceipt and http://www.wheredidmytaxdollarsgo.com/.