Jesus urged His listeners to pay taxes. The government to which Jesus paid taxes was Rome. A government that condemned and executed Him! Paul echoed the words of Jesus about paying taxes to civil authorities in his letter to the Romans. Some historical records state that Paul was put to death by the Roman Emperor Nero. As Christians we should pay taxes to our worldly government despite their treatment of Christ and us His followers.
Jesus said, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” His listeners were amazed at His teaching.” [1]
Jesus was noted as one who ate with tax collectors, “Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.” [2]
Jesus told Peter, “Go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them [the tax collectors] for Me and you.” [3]
Paul wrote, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” [4]
Paying our taxes does not mean we agree with what our civil authorities do. They may be horrible people like those who condemned Jesus and Paul. Governments run by people will always commit sins because people sin. Despite their failures, we are to pay what is legally due to them. Jesus demonstrated to Peter that He was willing to do divine miracles so that Peter would always have enough funds to make his tax payments.
[1] Mark 12:17
[2] Matthew 9:10
[3] Matthew 17:27
[4] Romans 13:1, 6-7
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