Thoughts from Pastor Dave

ARCHIVES
June 2005 article
July 2005 article
August 2005 article
September 2005 article
October 2005 article
November 2005 article
December 2005 article
January 2006 article
February 2006 article
March 2006 article

This article originally appeared in the April 2006 Gold Canyon Lifestyle

Taxes: A Platform of Praise

Maybe paying taxes is a good thing?! In fact, how would you like to live your life looking forward to April 15th? I mean, you would get downright giddy waiting for tax day to come just as a child looks forward to Christmas morn. I know what you’re thinking: the hot sun has finally taken its toll on Dave’s brain. No! Taxes and paying them are not only a good thing, but another platform we can climb to proclaim to the world - I am a follower of Jesus!

The story is in Matthew 17:24-27. In the setting and the context, it doesn’t seem to fit. Just following tremendous stories about the miraculous and the magnificent is a quick narrative about paying taxes. However, read it slow and let it sink in. Jesus is just as miraculous and magnificent in this text as well. What He says is breath-taking and what He teaches us is awesome.

Jesus not only knows about the conversation between Peter and the “tax-men” but He miraculously provides a fish in which Peter can pay for both of their taxes for the year. Incredible! But that’s not all. Note Jesus’ question and response to Peter.

Jesus 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.

Did you catch that? Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Peter knows that. I know that. Those who have placed their trust in Jesus know that. Jesus is not only the King of Kings, God-in-the-Flesh, but He is greater than the temple itself. As children of the King, we are exempt from paying taxes! I no longer have to pay any tax whatsoever - because my Daddy is King! My Father owns the earth and everything in it. I don’t have to pay taxes.

Moreover, this is not the Roman tax being discussed here. It is the Jewish Temple Tax. Which means it is probably not as offensive, but still a pain to bring yourself to pay. But not only is Jesus greater than the Temple (Matthew 12:6); but it is God’s Temple and none of His sons have to pay, including God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

As a child of the King, I was given a new identity. I have a heavenly citizenship now. I am a pilgrim, just passing through this world on my way to another one. I belong to a new Kingdom in which Jesus rules and reigns. I can march right into the Internal Revenue Service and declare that I am a child of the king and I am exempt from paying taxes - Jesus says so!

But because I don’t want to go to jail nor do I want to go to a mental institute nor do I want to offend anyone (verse 27) especially the IRS - so Peter, King Jesus and believers everywhere pay their taxes. Peter, later in life, possibly thinking of this very story, brings this up: “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives (pay taxes!) among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds (paying taxes!) and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:11-12).

As I submit to government and live as a patriotic American to the glory of God the Father, I am not only making this country a better place, but I am proclaiming the glory of God so that everyone can see Him and know He exists.

Jesus seems to be saying: even if you are doing something as mundane and boring and stressful as paying taxes, do it in such a way that brings Me glory! I am your only hope - even for paying taxes. So climb the platform, write the check and declare your love for Jesus!