Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

It is the end of the year when businesses, churches, and personal financial budgets account for the year’s income and expenses with an attempt to balance the books.  The question that arises every year is; “How much will we owe our government in taxes this year?”  Our attitude about this unchanging fact of life has been described and promoted by Benjamin Franklin, a writer of The Constitution of the United States! 

Fun facts:  The following information was written by the staff of the National Constitution Center in their daily blog dated November 13, 2023: 

“In his time, Franklin may have been the most-quoted public figure of his generation. A publisher, entrepreneur, and diplomat, Franklin became known for sayings or “proverbs” that appeared in Poor Richard’s Almanack and his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette. To this day, there are discussions about the origins of some of these quotes. For example, one of the most-popular sayings attributed to Franklin is, ‘a penny saved is a penny earned.’ This appears to be a combination of two Franklin proverbs.”

“Other famous Franklin quotes are well-documented. In ‘Advice To A Young Tradesman,’ Franklin writes that, ‘Remember that time is money.’  Franklin also authored quotes in public documents from his involvement with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutional Convention, and in a huge volume of personal correspondence.”

“One of his last great quotes came as Franklin knew his life was near its end. In November 1789, Franklin wrote French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, concerned that he hadn’t heard from Le Roy since the start of the French Revolution. Franklin wrote in French and the letter was later translated for the 1817 printing of his private correspondence.  After asking about Le Roy’s health and events in Paris for the past year, Franklin gives a quick update about the major event in the United States: the Constitution’s ratification a year before and the start of a new government under it.”

“’Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes,’ Franklin said. He concluded with a note about his own mortality to his friend: ‘My health continues much as it has been for some time, except that I grow thinner and weaker so that I cannot expect to hold out much longer.’” 

I hope you enjoyed those fun facts coming from one of the writers of the Constitution about taxes!  But now, let us dive into Kingdom of God thinking as Jesus presents the best attitude to have about paying taxes to the government.

Luke 20, The Message

Paying Taxes

^20-22 Watching for a chance to get him, they sent spies who posed as honest inquirers, hoping to trick him into saying something that would get him in trouble with the law. So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you’re honest and straightforward when you teach, that you don’t pander to anyone but teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

^23-24 He knew they were laying for him and said, “Show me a coin. Now, this engraving, who does it look like and what does it say?”

²⁵ “Caesar,” they said.

Jesus said, “Then give Caesar what is his and give God what is his.”

²⁶ Try as they might, they couldn’t trap him into saying anything incriminating. His answer caught them off guard and left them speechless. 

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Those “spies” sent to trap Jesus with the question of paying taxes got more than they bargained for, which is always the result (and benefit) of asking the One who was sent from the One and Only God who created all and owns all but provided it all as a gift for us to manage.  Lesson: God provides all we need.

Jesus teaches us to trust more and worry less.  Truth: The greater our trust in God, the less our worries become.  I’ve “done the math” in my own life!  Lesson: Trust God.

Jesus makes the point clear then and now.  Money is the invention of man, replacing the system of bartering.  Bartering is exchanging what you have for something you want or need with someone who has it.  It seems that our credit cards are becoming a new form of “bartering” for goods without using cash in transaction.  Our attitude about money is the real “root of all evil,” not the money itself.  Money is a tool of payment for services rendered.  Money is the capital to pay for improvements in our personal, businesses, and yes, our government.  The goal of paying taxes as individuals is merely a way to “pool” our funds to make improvements we could not do by ourselves.   

The Roman system of paying taxes was corrupt and everyone burdened by this corruption hated paying their forced amount which was most often beyond their ability to pay.  This kept people under oppressive control.  So, this was the “question of the day” chosen for the religious spies to ask Jesus because it was on everyone’s minds.  Most were hoping Jesus would revolutionize their way of life.  He did, but not in the way they thought He would.

Of course, Jesus’ response came from Kingdom of God thinking, wisdom, insight, and understanding.  Paying taxes is an earthbound fact of life.  So, “pay to Caesar what is his” with the coins made with his picture on them.

“Give to God what belongs to Him”—all our hearts, all our minds, and all our souls—He were created in His image to reflect His character! 

As we worship, learn, trust, and obey God with all that is within us, we will soon realize that we do not have the capacity to outgive God.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16  When we seek His wisdom for living in this world—He gives all we need!

Our response?  Let’s revisit Proverbs 3…

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.
If you do this, you will live many years,
    and your life will be satisfying.
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
    Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
    Write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favor with both God and people,
    and you will earn a good reputation.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.

Proverbs 3:1-8, NLT

Jesus who taught us there is more to life than death and taxes! 

Jesus is the Way to God who is Truth who gives Life eternal.  Trust Him.

Lord,

Thank you for the assurance of You in us, abiding in us, always being with us.  You provide all we need to live life here while preparing and waiting expectantly to live life with you there—forever! Continue to teach us, Lord.  I love you with all my heart, mind, body and soul.  I’m yours and I believe what you say.

In Jesus Name, Amen