Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• A very practical part of Scripture
• Last week we looked at v1-5
• All are to be subject to the governing authorities (v1)
• Those who resist the authority resist God (v2)
• Government is there to promote law and punish crime (v3)
• Government is there as God's minster for good (v4)
• Be subject for conscience sake (v5)
• This evening looking at v6-7
• Paying Taxes
• Giving honour to whom honour is due
• Paying Taxes:
• Often large companies try to avoid paying tax
• To do with the love of money
• Taxes are for our benefit
• The spirit towards those who are over us:
• Fear and honour
• We should criticise politicians were appropriate, but be respectful to those in authority
• Reading: v6-7
• Overview:
• Background details
• Old Testament passages
• Jesus' teachings

Background Details

• The Israelites 'tax'
• The Israelites were required to pay a tenth of their produce to the Priests and Levites
• To support the religious system
• To support the judicial system
• They are to give a tenth to maintain the three main festivals
• To give 20% overall
• To also pay a temple tax of half a shekel (Ex 30)
• Other taxes: e.g. those with fields
• Some were paying up to 25%
• In the Old Testament there was no separation between government and religion
• In the New Testament the church was ruled over by the Romans
• The Romans had a 'poll tax'
• There was an income tax, a wagon tax, a bridge tax, customs taxes, etc
• The Jewish people were in revolt - they could not pay two sets of taxes (under the Old Testament and to the Romans)
• The Romans slaughtered over a million Jews because of this
• What about the new Christians?
• Paul gives advice

Old Testament Passages

• Let us see God's view
• Deut 17:14-20 - God's teaching on a king:
• He was to be a just man
• He was not there to get rich
• He was there to be a blessing to the people
• 1 Sam 8
• Israel ask for a king (though it is not God's plan)
• They got what they deserved
• Is that what happens in society today?
• Good rulers vs bad rulers
• Saul was not a good king
• The kings would take a tenth of the lands (and the people)
• They often put a heavy burden on people
• Not once are the people not called to pay their dues
• Taxes are for the good of the people
• Think of Joseph
• Tax avoidance may not be illegal but is immoral
• We do get benefits from the government (e.g. Credits and gift aid)

Jesus' Teachings

• Matt 22:17-21
• Famous words, found also Mark 12:13-17 and Luke 20:20-26
• The Herodians sought to trap Him
• Scholars think this refers to the poll tax
• The word render (v21) means return to Caesar what he has given to them
  • Examples
• But to God the things that belong to God
• Not to obey evil
• Not to stop preaching the gospel
• We ought to pay taxes as it is a command given by Jesus Christ
• It is reinforced by the Apostle Paul
• Example of Aberystwyth man
• Brazil is known as a corrupt government
• Examples
• There are circumstances where it is impossible to pay tax, but the principle remains
• We should be thankful for the benefits of our taxes:
• Education, health, roads & transport
• Rom 13:6-7
• Do we give honour where we can?
• Do we give thanks for our Queen?
• There is a place for righteous anger - we should still pray
• 1 Tim 2:1-3 - if we want to honour them we shall pray for them
• Matt 17:24-27
• Jesus and His disciples were no longer under the Old Testament model of taxes
• He was the Master of the house
• He was the Master of the sons of Abraham
• Jesus said to pay taxes
• Examples of Anabaptists, Menanites - it is not for us to say where our money goes
• Christians do not always give good examples
• We withhold money because of our love of it
• Why do we not pay back our debts?
• The only debt we should have is the debt of love
• Where is our heart?