Joy In Serving: Devotions From Time Of Grace MinistryParaugs

My Country: Pay your taxes cheerfully

I will admit to being a tax grumbler. There. I’ve said it and am ashamed. Perhaps you too have grumbled while filling out your Form 1040. Many first-century Israelites resented Roman taxation as well. Jesus’ enemies once tried to play on those popular resentments to trick him into advocating tax evasion.

“Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.’ They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, ‘Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s’” (Matthew 22:18-21).

I love seeing national forests and wilderness areas, driving on interstate highways, enjoying the security of strong armed forces, and trusting a strong judicial system. Why am I not more willing to shoulder my portion of the burden of paying for all those wonderful things? Just selfishness, I guess.

I’ll be better this April 15. I promise.