VERSE:
“For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” ROMANS 13:6-7
REFLECTION:
Just renewed my Oyster monthly travel pass and my studio-flat lease, though expected but really winced at the thought of perpetual increment of the basic commodities. Soon breathing will be taxable to humour my moaning heart. Paul says that paying taxes is one way in which Christians show honor to the authorities God has placed over them (13:1–7). Christians should obey their government unless doing so means disobeying the Lord (Acts 5:29).Paul has been teaching the Christian doctrine of being submissive to our human authorities, including and especially government authorities. Christians are called to do this because we believe that God is the one who has put every human authority in their position. They exist to serve His purposes, including the purpose of punishing people who do bad things (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Context of this and other passages makes it clear that Christians are obligated to disobey government when—and only when—compelled to disobey God (Acts 5:27–29). As a general rule, believers are commanded to cooperate with their government authorities. Now Paul gets to a specific example submission to human government: paying taxes. Christians are taxpayers, Paul writes, because those taxes support the work God intends to do through the human authorities He has put in place. Even when those men or women stand against the truths of God, their fundamental role as order-keepers is still part of God’s will. Opinions crept in over the controversial position in this modern day that Christians shoul
d not pay taxes if the government is funding evil practices. Jesus and Paul disagree. Both paid taxes to the same government that ultimately killed them and persecuted ot
her Christians, as well. Neither endorsed the option if not paying taxes as a matter of conscience. Paul’s glaring point in here is that we must trust God to provide us as
His children. In the case of this passage, that includes provision through the government authorities He puts in place. God is fully capable of using them for our good no matter who they are or what their intentions.
PRAYER:
Abba Father, who Art in Heaven. Holy, holy, holy is Thy Name. Forgive me for my ego, Oh Lord, for I have let the words of others harm me and held a darkness in my heart. I have envied people that seemed happier, wealthier, or more successful, rather than thinking about the only person that has ever loved me unconditionally, Jesus Christ. It is His name I pray for forgiveness and ask to honour Thee with these words. Amen.
