Greetings to all, I pray that everyone's week is going well on this "hump" day Wednesday. May we all have the confidence to continue moving forward this week, no matter our circumstances. Let us thank God for the gift of life and those He has placed in our lives to make it more productive. Amen
As if living through this pandemic is not stressful enough, some things in life remain the same. There is a saying that says, "In this world nothing is certain but taxes and death".
Wouldn't it be helpful for the Government to let us off the hook with our taxes during these unprecedented times?
That is wishful thinking and has not happened. To give relief, what has happened is the deadline to make tax payments has been extended and pushed back to July 15, 2020, which is today!
Matthew 22:17-22 (MSG)
17 So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
18 Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, "Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me?
19 Do you have a coin? Let me see it." They handed him a silver piece.
20 "This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?"
21 They said, "Caesar." "Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his."
22 The Pharisees were speechless. They went off shaking their heads.
The dilemma is apparent: to side with the Pharisees, Jesus would risk being accused of rebellion against the Roman Government, or to side with the Herodians and lose the masses' favor. Taxes included an annual fee paid by every Jewish adult to the Roman Government. The Jews despised paying this tax to their hated oppressors.
The tax money was a denarius, a silver coin with an emperor's image, and the inscription calling him "divine." The image and inscription were repugnant to the Jews because they hated their Roman overlords and worshiped only Israel's God. Nelson's NKJV Study Bible.
Romans 13:7-8 (MSG)
7 Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.
8 Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along.
Why is love for others called an obligation? We are permanently in debt to Christ for the lavish love he has poured out on us. We can begin to repay this debt by fulfilling our obligation to love others in turn. Because Christ's love will always be infinitely higher than ours, we will always have a duty to love our neighbors. Life Application Study Bible.
Lesson: Tax time can be an exhausting time. But we are instructed in the word as God's people; If we claim to be one of God's people, our life should reflect God's character. When we disobey God, we dishonor his name (Romans 2:24).
We must never put the gospel to shame by failing to give Christ the honor due to His name or Caesar (the Government). As we do our part and pay our taxes, let us pray that our Government correctly uses the money that they get from the citizens and the people wisely use their returns.
Comments