Special Days in March — March 15th

Theme for the week: Special Days in March

March 3, 2022 (Thursday)\

In Shakespeare’s play, “Julius Caesar,” Caesar was warned of an assassination attempt with the words, “Beware the Ides of March.” That phrase was a perfectly acceptable way to say “the 15th of March.” On that date Julius Caesar was assassinated. The deadline for filing one’s income tax return in the United States was set in 1913 to March 1, soon changed in 1918 to March 15. When speaking of the deadline for taxes, some jokingly repeated the line from the play, “Beware the Ides of March.”

The deadline for payment of income taxes was changed from March 15 to April 15 in 1955. In 2020, the date was extended to July because of the pandemic, and in 2021 to May 17, but is now April 15 again in 2022.

Some people pay their taxes by allowing them to be withheld from salaries and wages. Others pay every three months through estimated payments to the government. Still others pay in different ways, because computing taxable income in some cases is an extremely complex undertaking.

For more than 40 years March 15 was known by most of us as “Tax Day.” Since 1955 –67 years ago–the date has been April 15. My goodness, I had no idea when deciding to write this that many of you would have no memories at all of March 15 as “Tax Day.” All this must sound like ancient history to you.

Interesting things have happened regarding payment of taxes. I am not violating any confidences when I tell you a story about it. A man came to see me, very upset because the lady at IRS was being unreasonable with demands that certain criteria be met. I suppose he talked with me about it because he wanted a shoulder to cry on, for tax payments are not exactly what I knew a lot about. Well, he was bitter. But his wife became ill and during her illness, the lady at IRS continued to work with him and his wife in resolving their tax issues. Sadly, the wife died, and by that time he and his wife had become friends with the IRS lady. Afterwards, within a reasonable amount of time for bereavement, the man and the IRS lady began seeing each other. They fell in love and got married. A true story.

The Lord may not want you to fall in love with the tax collector, but when he said, “Render to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to God that which belongs to God,” His words became Scripture that supports separation of church and state. Every organization needs money in order to do its job and most of these depend upon the members of it for dues or donations. The church needs money in order to do its work, and that money is donated by the members. It is a privilege to have a part in the many ministries of a church. It is also a privilege to pay taxes to the greatest country in the world, where we have freedom. Not all the people of the world can say that.

We must pay our taxes                    
We can give Tithes and Offerings
 
 

 
 
 
 

WHAT A FELLOWSHIP, WHAT A JOY DIVINE!

Just remember, money isn’t everything! Click here for a song that reminds us of what is really important.