Jesus Paid His Taxes (and why you should too)

It's funny to watch people react to paying taxes this time of year. The eyebrows. The voice inflections. The body language. April 15th is not usually considered "National High Five Day" on the street.

I have a friend who teaches his kids to pay taxes. Their not even teenagers yet. When asked to retrieve a cookie or other food item the father often returns with a bit out of the cookie before giving it to his kids. Sometimes he surprises them by not collecting taxes. Regardless, they are learning an important lesson early on. I doubt I would have liked this lesson as a kid but it's probably better to learn earlier rather than later on in life. I'm thinking of doing this for Charlotte and any other kids we have. But I'm undecided at this point. Here's why:

Matthew 17:24 After they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Your teacher pays the double drachma tax, doesn't he?" 17:25 He said, "Yes." When Peter came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect tolls or taxes - from their sons or from foreigners?" 17:26 After he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. 17:27 But so that we don't offend them, go to the lake and throw out a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth, you will find a four drachma coin. Take that and give it to them for me and you" (NET).

It's ok that we pay taxes. It means we aren't sons of this country... and that's a good thing! There's a better kingdom coming and it is tax free for the sons and daughters who get there. It's a free gift to get in too (cf Rom 3:23-26) but you got to believe in the right entrance (Matt 7:13-14). Just as an aside, it doesn't appear that the President of the United States is a son either. He's paying $1.8 million in 2009 taxes. He has yet to receive his Presidential Medal of Freedom. Those recipients don't have to pay taxes any more right?

Jesus spoke a bit more about taxes during the Passion Week (and Kingdom "taxes"):

Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went out and planned together to entrap him with his own words. 22:16 They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You do not court anyone's favor because you show no partiality. 22:17 Tell us then, what do you think? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
22:18 But Jesus realized their evil intentions and said, "Hypocrites! Why are you testing me? 22:19 Show me the coin used for the tax." So they brought him a denarius. 22:20 Jesus said to them, "Whose image is this, and whose inscription?" 22:21 They replied, "Caesar's." He said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 22:22 Now when they heard this they were stunned, and they left him and went away (NET).

It's easy to say, "See! We are supposed to pay taxes to the government (Caesar)" as indicated by Jesus. But there's a better lesson here. We are to give to God that which bears His image just as we give to "Caesar" that which bears "Caesar's" image. So what bears God's image?

According to Gen 1:26-31 mankind bears God's image. Interesting. Without getting into all that the imago dei involves, it is does help us understand what Jesus was talking about when he said "and [give] to God the things that are God's." Each person bears God's image. We are to give ourselves to Him.

That may mean dying the martyr's death in the worst case scenario. God's tax. It's not a financial return. It's your very life.

"I hate paying taxes to the govt!" you might say. "They are so high!" you might continue. However God's "taxes" are higher. I wonder how much you hate paying God's tax? Is it the same hate you pay taxes to the local, state and federal govt? It is a constant daily struggle isn't it? Kingdom of God taxes sure are high. God demands our every act to be in obedience to him. Love your neighbor. Love God. Love our enemies. Serve all. Reach out to the poor. Make his way known among the nations. It might cost you your very life let alone every second you live in life. Give God what is God's. That is a much higher "tax."

Do you grumble at God's tax too? The Kingdom of God tax is higher than the earthly govt taxes you pay and those make everyone grumble.

It's an amazing thing that Matthew did not stop writing at verse 22:22. Matt 22:23-33 is just the encouragement one should have to really give to God that which bears His image and pay the high tax for the Kingdom of God.

If you grumble at this world's taxes needing to be paid, do you also grumble at the tax God requires? Do you excuse yourself from giving to God that which is God's? And do you think it is hypocritical to not complain about God's more costly tax but complain about the taxes here in the USA... ones God instructs us to pay (in obedience to Him)? Paying taxes to the USA is part of giving to God that which is God's. He gave authority and power to the ruling govt. He instructs us to be good citizens to the govt currently over us. 1 Peter has a good deal to say about this matter.

So here on April 15, I'd just like to offer this friendly little reminder on how to think about taxes from Jesus' perspective.