|
Home
Archive
November
October
September
Comments
and/or Questions
|
Tuesday, November
11, 2008
Let’s Pay Tribute
Romans 13:1-4 Let every soul be subject
unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that
be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,
resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to
themselves damnation. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to
the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good,
and thou shalt have praise of the same: (4) For he is the minister of God
to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to
execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (KJV)
First of all I would like to pay close
attention to the first three words in verse 1, because ‘every’ does mean
everyone. The powers that are ordained of God that are being spoken about,
is our police, fire departments, as well as the military. We all have an
obligation, including Christians, to follow and obey the laws of the land.
You may not like and agree with all of them, but like it or not it is our
duty to obey and stay in good standing with them. I make this point because
we are going to touch on an area where the so called church thinks they can
side step laws as well just because others do it or man says that it’s ok.
Romans 13:5-8 Wherefore ye must needs be
subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. (6) For for this
cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending
continually upon this very thing. (7) Render therefore to all their dues:
tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear;
honour to whom honour. (8) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another:
for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation
of Romans 13:5-8
5. Therefore, you must obey them, not
only for the sake of escaping punishment, but also for conscience' sake; 6.
for this is the reason why you pay your taxes, for the civil authorities
are God's official servants faithfully devoting themselves to this very
end. 7. Pay all of them what is due them -- tribute to the officer to
receive it, taxes to the officer to receive them, respect to the man
entitled to it, and honor to the man entitled to it. 8. Stop owing anybody anything, except the
obligation to love one another, for whoever practices loving others has
perfectly satisfied the law.
You know what that word tribute means,
yup taxes. “Oh but we are the church, all we have to do is file for our
non-profit status and we are tax free right”? Well according to man that
may be so, but according to the word of God that is not the case. Paul
wasn’t writing this letter to those outside of the body of Christ, but
rather these scriptures are for God’s people, are they not? You know
preachers, when a policeman, fireman, or someone from the military comes to
your congregation on Sunday you are not shy about passing around the
collection plate are you? But have you done your fair share in giving as
well? You know that tribute stuff the Lord says we need to pay to be in
good standing with Him? “Oh but we would go broke if we had to pay it”.
Well if God was truly your source then what you are telling me is that God
went broke, right?
Matthew 22:17-21 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.
(KJV)
Hmm, the Lord paid taxes; and being that
we are imitators of Him wouldn’t it be fitting that we did also? You know
the preachers are not shy about reminding the congregation of their duty of
paying their fair share which the Bible says also, rendering to God the
things that are His. But it is the preacher’s or pastor’s duty to render
tribute to Caesar as well, which is in the form of taxes. So while our
police officers and firemen, as well as the military are willing to lay
down their lives for us, is the so called church that cheap and willing to
show a total disregard for the duties performed by not paying their fair
share in the form of taxes? After all if the Church doesn’t set the example
in deed as well as word, then who will? Hey people, next time they hit you
up with their endless giving sermons seeking to get more money out of the
congregation, ask them if they have done their fair share, before you
decide if you are going to support them as well.
1 Timothy 5:17-18 Let the elders that
rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in
the word and doctrine. (18) For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle
the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his
reward. (KJV)
Here we see an example of taking care of
God’s people, not muzzling them but rather supporting them in their work.
Whatever calling they are answering, if you are getting fed at their
organization and you know that they are teaching truth then God does
require people to give and support it as well. Now the flip side though
with God’s people is that you are required to give also to support the
other works God has called, otherwise you haven’t truly fulfilled your
duty. You know, that water and sewer system to your building was put in by
a laborer and the Bible does tell us that the laborer is worthy of his
reward doesn’t it? Maybe if you are having financial problems with your
organization, it just may be a reflection of your own stinginess and lack
of giving on your part in the form of tribute or taxes. Remember too that
in Romans 13:4 God refers to our civil servants as being His ministers
also; so while many ministers demand payment for their services from the
congregations, are they doing their part themselves in the form of tribute?
Matthew 17:24-27 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 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? (26) Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus
saith unto him, Then are the children free. (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. (KJV)
“Oh but big corporations get tax breaks,
why can’t we get them”? “After all, the law says we can, doesn’t it”? Are
you under the law of man only, or are you now under the law of faith as
well? Our Lord paid taxes didn’t He? So being the fact that He is the
perfect example God sent for mankind, then it would do me good to pay also,
wouldn’t it? What an insult to tell our brave military, fire, and police
men and women that we support them, only to do it with lip service and not
in deed. You know if everyone did their fair share then we would not have
to watch these people struggle financially, as well as getting the health
care that they need. So Christians, is it our duty to give tribute? Well if
you wish to be in good standing with God, yes, definitely!
|
