Church Directory
“The Only Things That Are Sure Are Death and Taxes”
Pastor Barry Klein, Staples Church of Christ
Here we are on another April 15, tax day. Aren’t taxes “fun”?! Of course, that’s said tongue in cheek. We’re taxed on income, investments, things we buy, property taxes to name a few. In the world of taxes, we need to be clear about two things. First, Jesus actually gave a “green light” on taxes. We read about it in Matthew 22:17 when the Pharisees, trying to trap Jesus, ask the question, “Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” Verse 18 continues, “But Jesus, knowing their intent, said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.’ They brought him a denarius, (verse 21) ‘Caesars’ they replied. Then (Jesus) said to them, “So give back to Caesar’s what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
Yes, Jesus cleared the way for the place of taxes, but He was making an even more important point by using the image of Caesar on the coin. According to Genesis 1:27, people are created in the image of God. So if a human government needs to be paid respectful taxes, even more so, people created in the image of God, are to give their life to the One in Whose image we are made.
By the way, the second thing we need to be clear on regarding taxes is that in all honesty, we do benefit in both primary and secondary ways from the services and products that taxes subsidize. It doesn’t make paying taxes fun, but it does give us reason to give honest tax where tax is due with “our fair share.” (There’s another interesting tax story in Matthew 17:24-27.)
One final thought about the title of our devotion. We’ve just come through the season of remembering Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Literally, Thanks Be To God, that death could not hold Jesus in the tomb! Jesus’ resurrection to life paved the way for all who will turn their lives over to Him!
