Taxes and the Christian

(Today's reading - Exodus 7-8; Matthew 17)

Our daily reading contains an interesting story about Jesus paying taxes. Strange to think that God had to pay taxes... takes me back to the old saying, "only two things are sure in this life... death and taxes". Jesus experienced both. But what is this little story telling us? Why did God see fit to include this in His word? I am certain there are thousands of events in Jesus' life that are left out, but this one is included. So... it must be important. Let's contemplate a moment.

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?”  “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

Jesus first makes the point that the sons of the kings are exempt from taxes. Surely this is saying that Jesus, as God's Son doesn't have to pay the Temple tax. Surely God was the King when it came to the Temple. And if so, no tax should be paid. But Jesus, wanting to demonstrate that His disciples were to live above reproach, tells Peter to go fishing. His disciples were to make every effort to pay what they were obligated to pay.

So, what about us. There is a lot of talk about taxes these days. Some saying that others are not paying their "fair share". How does a Christian respond to all the political dialogue? I believe that Jesus would remind us that what we have, God provided. Just like the fish that Peter caught and the coin he found, God has provided what we have and He calls on us to pay what the government demands. Can we speak our minds and work for lower taxes? Absolutely. We can support people who view the nations fiscal house the way we do. We can help to elect those that are responsible in how they handle the nation's tax dollars. But, irregardless of who is in the White House, when we are called on to pay our taxes... we must do it.

God provided the fish and He provided the coin. What if Peter had opened the fish's mouth and taken the coin only to say, "this belongs to me and I will decide what to do with it, I worked and caught the fish, so it is mine". We would never have that attitude... would we? Jesus provided for His taxes and Peters. There must be a lesson in there somewhere for us. Jesus wants us to be His light in this world and He draws people to Himself. Our light shines brightest when we live honorable, honest lives. Paying our taxes is one way to demonstrate to those around us that we not only read His word, we obey it. Get out that fishing rod and God will provide. April 15th never felt so good. Peace.