Q89: SOME PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT IT IS SCRIPTURAL NOT TO PAY TAXES. IS THIS RIGHT?

Hi Lope, 

I know someone who believes it is scriptural not to pay taxes, is this right? 

Thanks so much,

LOLA RUTHERFORD

Salem, Oregon, USA

Greetings from the Philippines, Lola,

Thanks for the question. For the answer, let’s consult God’s Bible.  First, let’s see how our LORD Jesus Christ reacted to this subject of paying taxes. Did Christ pay tax during His time, or not? The following scriptures are from the HOLMAN CHRISTIAN STANDARD BIBLE (HCSB) translation.

• When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the double-drachma tax approached Peter and said, "Doesn't your Teacher pay the double-drachma tax?"  (Mat 17:24)

• "Yes," he said. When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, "What do you think, Simon? Who do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes from? From their sons or from strangers?" (Mat 17:25)

• "From strangers," he said. "Then the sons are free," Jesus told him.  (Mat 17:26)

• "But, so we won't offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and catch the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth you'll find a coin. Take it (the coin) and give it to them for Me and you." (Mat 17:27)

So, the above discussion between Christ and Peter shows that strictly speaking, God’s people are not really obligated to pay taxes because “the sons are free,” according to Christ (Mat 17:26).

But in the very next verse (Mat 17:27), Christ also said, “But, so we won't offend them,” so let’s pay taxes.  Christ further said, “Take it (the money for tax payment) and give it to them for Me and you." So, the previous verses shew that Jesus Christ and His disciples paid taxes to the civil government.

In another instance, Christ was faced with this same issue of paying taxes or not. The religious leaders of Christ's day used this very issue of paying taxes to trap Him, and to find fault in Him to accuse Him. But they were silenced by Christ by His Kabbalistic wisdom.

• Tell us, therefore, what You think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"  (Mat 22:17)

• Christ answered: Show Me the coin used for the tax." So they brought Him a denarius.  (Mat 22:19)

• "Whose image and inscription is this?" He asked them.  (Mat 22:20)

• "Caesar's," they said to Him. Then He said to them, "Therefore, give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Mat 22:21)

THE APOSTLE PAUL ALSO ENDORSED THE PAYING OF TAXES TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT

The Apostle Paul makes it obligatory to pay taxes (unless you got a tax-exempt status from the government).

• Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.  (Rom 13:1)

• For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval.  (Rom 13:3)

• For government is God's servant to you for good.  (Rom 13:4)

• Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience.  (Rom 13:5)

• And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God's public servants, continually attending to these tasks.  (Rom 13:6)

• Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.  (Rom 13:7)

To summarize and answer directly your question: it is scriptural to pay taxes.

< Copyright 2012, 2015 © LOPE COLUMNA > 

The WORLD'S BIBLE EXPLAINER & REVELATOR
The First and Only Messianic-Kabbalist Preacher of the World