Topic: Pay Your Taxes
Bible Reading: Psalm 99-102; Romans 13.
Memory Verse: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” Romans 13:7 (KJV)
A tax is a manadatory payment or charge collected by local, state or national governments from individuals or businesses to finance government activities and public services. Various government relies on tax to build and maintain essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and, power supply systems. Besides, tax revenue is also used for functioning of government structures as well as provide security for the populace. It is such a key ingredient in the social contract between citizens and the economy.
Paying taxes therefore is honouring your social contract with the government and empowering the government to perform the functions for which it is created. A number of people often justify non payment by the fact that government has not used it for the purpose intended. Even if that is correct, it is not a justification for non payment because two wrongs do not make a right. Instead of not paying, you can ask for intervention of a third party such as a court of justice to stop the government from using the taxes wrongly or even ask the agent of such wrong uses to refund the money. This process may take a longer time but will help establish the right process and also hopefully right the wrong.
The overriding factor for a child of God is that God enjoins us to pay our taxes. The Bible says in Romans 13:7 (KJV), “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” And the Lord Jesus laid the example for us his disciples when he asked Peter to go and catch fish in order to pay for their taxes. He said in Matthew 17:27 (KJV), “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”
How well are you obeying the directives of our Lord Jesus Christ in respect of payment of your taxes? Some have even gone to the extent of telling lies in order to reduce the tax burden. It is important to note the word of God that no liars will make heaven! Revelation 21:8 (KJV) states clearly, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Please ensure you pay your taxes going forward as a way of laying good examples for both believers and unbelievers alike.
Action point: Ensure you pay your correct taxes going forward.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero