Taxes and Tithes
April 2, 2009 (Thursday)
The tax software I use gave me a nice surprise this year: a refund. I was fully expecting to make a payment with my tax return; I got a promise the IRS would send me a refund instead. So last night I stayed up late trying to predict what my income will be this year, because I have to send in an estimated tax payment in a couple of weeks. The software lets me make an educated guess about this year’s income (and next year’s too). I ended up with a two-sheet document that puts three years income in parallel columns. Now I know what my estimated tax payment will be on April 15.
Some people think pastors don’t have to pay taxes. Actually, they do. A little-known fact is that on some items they actually pay a higher rate than others. Some of their income is tax-free. So, it all evens out, more or less. We all search for as many deductions as we can, but we know that one of the greatest privileges we have in life is being a citizen of the United States of America. Somehow, when we look at it that way, paying taxes is just a part of that privilege.
Jesus said it succinctly: “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and unto God that which is God’s.” The down-to-earth meaning for us as Christians is, “Pay your taxes and give your tithe.” God will bless you.
Stewardship for the Christians involves more than the tithe; it covers our entire life, including not only material things but spiritual as well. It recognizes that God owns everything and we are here to take care of it for a while. Let’s take good care of God’s world. And, while we show great concern about the world’s financial crisis these days, let’s always be thankful for God’s presence and power in our lives. Let’s be good servants of the Lord, and bold ambassadors for Him.