Give Unto Caesar

[Ken & Sue Brown]

Having just come through tax time, I thought a few Biblical considerations about taxes and such might be appropriate.Jesus’ words, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's”, have been quoted many times to document the Master’s instructions as pertaining to a believer’s financial responsibility to his government as well as to God. The illuminating context of this statement, however, is usually ignored.Jesus was not sitting on a hillside teaching his disciples about their responsibilities to their government. He was responding to men who were endeavoring to trap him in his words, men who were trying to get him to say something for which they could accuse him. His response was not a teaching; it was merely evasive, and his words were very different from what he taught one of his disciples behind closed doors.Let’s take a look at the context of Jesus’ statement above before going on to the other record of Jesus’ remarks about taxes.Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.Jesus was being confronted by two different groups of men who had two different sets of beliefs but were conspiring together to get Jesus. The disciples of the Pharisees ascribed to the doctrine of the Pharisees including their strict intrusive rules about tithing. The Herodians were Herod’s partisans. They were far more interested in not allowing anything to detract from Herod’s activities on Caesar’s behalf, including collection of taxes. The two groups together posed a question to Jesus that was unanswerable without giving one group or the other ammunition to accuse Jesus, or so they thought. Had Jesus given a direct response, he would have been attacked no matter what the response was.Jesus recognized their wickedness and avoided the confrontation. His response was essentially a non-response, a line that could be interpreted just about any way. He didn’t even so much as specifically admit to owing either party anything; just give to Caesar what is his and to God what is His. This was an avoidance of the confrontation, not a teaching.Let’s look at Jesus’ other remarks on paying taxes. The record is in Matthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented [preceded, anticipated] him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?The record does not say why Peter said yes, but the context indicates that Peter did not actually know the answer to the question. Once they were in the house (and could thus speak privately), Jesus did not wait for Peter to ask him about it, he anticipated Peter’s question and spoke to him about the situation. The kings of Biblical times (especially the Roman emperor) generally made a practice of conquering other lands and extracting their wealth to supply the king’s desires and the needs of the kingdom’s domestic citizens. Peter, knowing this responded with, “of strangers,” to Jesus’ question, whereupon Jesus drew a parallel between the “children” of the kings of the earth being free and the situation with his and Peter’s tax responsibility.26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.Jesus’ next statement also shows that he recognized no responsibility to pay the tax collectors. He did not, however, want to be in the fight so he instructed Peter what to do to keep from offending them.27 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.I believe that putting words in someone else’s mouth is an unsanitary disgusting practice, so please do not do that to me. I did not just say we have no responsibility to pay taxes. Actually, I did not personally say anything other than to present two things that Jesus said.Are we ethically and morally free of our nation’s imposed tax burdens as Jesus indicated that he was? Do we pay just to keep from being in trouble, or do we have a moral obligation to pay our tax bill? Are there differences between our situation and his such as to declare void his conclusion as it might pertain to our circumstance? What do you say? All opinions are welcome, but I am particularly interested in what you might be able to bring to the table from God’s Word that would shed light on this moral question.

[George M. Hendrix]

Kevin,
Thanks for pointing out a few of the many wasteful spending scenarios that we are being forced to pay for. I just didn't have the time to go into details
Your points are only the tip of the iceberg. I wholeheartedly agree with your logic and the passion with which you put it forth.
Love your sense of humor man!

Steve,
With all respect, I'm not sure what you are saying???
"The beauty of rhetorical questions is that they provide direction for the hearer... on points to consider, but like prayer, there's no need to answers to others."
Why do you feel you need to be rhetorical and why do you feel you need to provide direction? Direction for what? and direction for who?
As Kevin did, I believe that the details need to be lovingly and logically discussed, in agreement or disagreement...not just the putting forth of rhetorical and platitudes.
And what exactly does "but like prayer, there's no need to answers to others."
Would you mind "splaning" that to my little old pea brain?

On the topic as a whole...and directed in general to the topic...
I (and I'm sure others) experienced "many" a run in with charismatic and arrogant leadership over the years who thought I was supposed to blindly and without question follow their leadership and obey their command. We all know where that leads...so there is no way in hell I am willing to blindly follow the President (any President) and the Congress down a road of destruction...when the truth is open and obvious to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Love and blessings!
George

[Kevin Nye]

Do you have a moral obligation to pay for your internet provider service?

Yes I have a moral obligation to pay my internet provider, because, by my freedom of choice made a deal with them to purchase their service. But if my ISP started to give a product that I do not like, or something that I didn't ask for, I could decline the use of that service and quit paying them, and go to another ISP. Just like when my wife and I withdrew all of our money from the Wells Fargo Bank because we didn't like it that they quit supporting the Boy Scouts Of America. And, we found a credit union that charges far less in user fees, and is more efficient.

Do you have a moral obligation to pay for the food you bring home from the grocery store, or from the farmer's markets?

Of course I have the moral obligation to pay for the purchase of food if I by my free will go to a market and decide to buy. But if I were a self sufficient farmer and lived off of wild game, I would have no need to give my money to a market for food.


Do you have a moral obligation to pay for the energy (electricity) that provides safety and comfort to your home?

Once again, the answer is yes, because I have decided to live in a home that requires electricity. I have requested that the electric company send electricity into my home. But if I lived in a log cabin in the woods with no electricity, and the electric company told me that I will pay them for electricity because "we are going to force you to use it", then I would have a serious problem with that and would feel no obligation to pay them whatsoever. I would in fact fight them on such an issue.

Do you have a moral obligation to pay for the energy that gets you from here to there in pursuit of the goals you have chosen to pursue in your life? Be those goals set forth in the Bible or goals you may have chosen for yourself as inspired from some other direction?

This question seems a bit foggy, but if you are talking about fuel for a vehicle then my answer is yes. I do pay for my fuel because I have chosen not to use a bicycle or get around by dog sled. But then again, that has been by my freedom of will to own a truck and a car.

Do you then have a responsiblity to pay for the goods, services and infrastructure that support your lifestyle which are supplied to you by way of the actions of government?

The answer to this is yes but only to a degree. First of all this question is not the same as the first four. The first four questions are in relation to free will purchases between Consumers and Suppliers both of whom have no obligation to each other until a free will agreement has been reached. It definitely seems that you are comparing apples with oranges here.

Now you are talking about the imposition of taxes on America's Citizens for "goods (not sure what "goods" you are talking about), services, and infrastructure", not a free will purchase from a supplier to a "demand-er". Yet, if I am paying taxes in order for my country to have the necessary infrastructure and services for our country to run smoothly and stimulate commerce and our pursuit of happiness, then I have no problem with it even if it is imposed upon me, and I feel that it should be paid for. Particularly when certain of our tax dollars go to a strong national defense.

But what if those taxes are going to things that are an incredible waste of money? For instance, in Obama's stimulus package which he didn't even read, there are an amazing amount of dollars going to wasteful projects which have nothing to do with stimulating the economy but will be, and have been paid for by our tax dollars. For instance:

$50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts I do not believe my tax dollars should go toward this. Sorry, but that's my opinion.

$1.2 billion for "youth activities" (for "youth" up to 24 years old). I also do not believe that my tax dollars should go toward this. Once again my opinion.

$295 million for administrative expenses associated with food stamp program. I really disagree with this one. A good friend of ours works for the State of Alaska, and she sees the losers who are the recipients of this freebie, and she knows that it does nothing more than keep them ON the government titty, and not off of it. But once again, it's my opinion that it is more hurtful than helpful.

And perhaps the finest example of "pork barrel spending" ever is the $1.7 million dollars earmarked for "Hog Odor Research" found in Obama's "stimulus" package. Wow. Ain't that rich?

And so, even though my stated opinions are open for debate, I resent the fact that I am told by my government that these programs are necessary for me as a Citizen to pay for. Their opinion is forced upon me, and I even have to pay for it! Not cool in my book. So, in answer to your last question, I feel no moral obligation whatsoever to pay for these things that have nothing to do with, in my opinion, the stimulation of our economy, and the future betterment of the United States Of America. But, I don't have a choice, do I? It has been mandated that my tax dollars will pay for these things, and when the bill for it all comes crashing down, I as a Citizen will be required to pay even more in taxes. In the mean time, our economy has not been stimulated, and the pigs will keep on shitting, farting, wallowing in the mud, and smelling like, well, pigs...

[George M. Hendrix]

I don't think our requirement to pay taxes is a moral responsibility at all. It is a necessary burdensome evil, figuratively speaking. I have no problem paying a reasonable amount of tax for reasonable efficient necessary government infrastructure...but no more.
The sad thing is that the government is not only out of control, but so inefficient, wasteful, irresponsible, and laden with corruption.
Yes, as Johnny put it, "I think we are being taxed, quite literally, to death every direction we turn and in more and more transactions."
The irresponsibility and waste on behalf of the government and it's employees (of course not all employees, but espeically the politicians) is alarming and disgusting, especially in DC.!
Also...how the hell do you borrow your way out of debt? What a scam !!!
What are we doing to the future generations of the US? The _ _ _ _ is about to hit the fan!!!
I praise God for the Tea Parties that took place this past week. I pray God that American citizens continue to take back America from the tyranny of the out of control tax and spend government!!!

Is it true that at least 50% of the people of the US do not pay taxes...but enjoy the benefits of being supported by those who do? yet still get to vote and keep putting into office those who will support them?

Praise God that Jesus Christ will return, and that when He reigns on this earth all will be fair, just, righteous, honest, and equitable.

Come quickly Lord Jesus!

Love and blessings!
George

[John and Janet Ruiz]

Interesting topic and always timely. I've pondered and studied this myself, over the years. I appreciate your caveat and write these comments based on same. Pretty much what I write is what I mean, so there's no rabbit behind the curtain, or hat. Or whatever. : )

I don't see an inherent conflict from the Bible that would prevent, preclude or exclude me from paying income taxes. No moral obligaton to do so or not do so, either that is iron clad in the same way other things occur and are laid out.

I see it as a personal business transaction with legal parameters and definitions. What I pay, how much, is negotiated by those parameters, the current tax code. My part of the transaction is to do it as wisely and accurately as I can. As we all know our government doesn't make that easy for us and, not unlike so much of our legal system, which rewards those who have the ability to negotiate the best deal for themselves, right or wrong, fair or unfair. On that topic I think we are being taxed, quite literally, to death every direction we turn and in more and more transactions. As George Harrisno wrote in his song Taxman "Now my advice for those who die, declare the pennies on your eyes." Nothing goes untaxed these days it seems. We need change we can trust in this arena, for certain, while I still have some change to spend.

I myself don't see a direct comparison between what Jesus says in Mark, that social and political environment, Israel, God's people and the Roman government and our own country, etc. today. One that would mark out a way to act or behave today, conclusively and doctrinally. Indeed He was responding to a question where there was a rabbit behind the curtain, waiting to pounce. : ) Later he adds some clarification to Peter, worth noting, as was His own determination. He instructed Peter to pay the tax and told him how to go about doing it.

I suppose that had the same Pharisees and Herodians known about that they could have confronted Him with it - AHA! You hail Caesar and not God!!! or who knows what response. However Jesus and Peter handled it as a private matter, one of their own decision and doing and for the reason He stated. I see learning for me in how He handled it.