Taxation as written in the Bible

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   Jewelsposted 15 years ago

   Can those in the know quote what was the intended 'law' or duty for paying taxes.  It's something about how a persons wages could be broken down, part of it going toward taxes, it states what amount that should or could be.  Can someone help me out with this?  Appreciated.

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      BDazzlerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      In the Old Testament,  Moses was told how community resources were to be allocated ... this was not just cash, but land livestock etc. This is in both Numbers and Deuteronomy.  Also refer to the book of Joshua for historic division.
      
      The relevent New Testament passage is Romans 13:
      1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
      
      
      In the New Testament, it's clear that the government gets to decide what the taxes should be.

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         sandra rinckposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Then what does the Bible say when we know darn well that the government is evil?  Don't think I could in good consciousness keep giving money knowing that it is going to harm other people or feeding injustice?
         
         Good thing for being an American since the law is the people.  Not that it works out this way but at least I can feel somewhat assured that I am not going againts God's servants knowing that it is my duty as an American to rebell against a tyranical government. phew!

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            Rochelle Frankposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            \
            
            But wasn't the Roman government in Judea, at the time of Christ and His disciples, evil and tyrannical?  Jesus apparently didn't share your view.

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            BDazzlerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            The government was pretty evil when Paul wrote that. Nero was emperor, and Christians were being beaten and thrown to the lions and stuff.
            
            In my experience, God's not a real big fan of rebellion per se'.  He's more into the hearts and minds.  Change those and rebellion is un-necessary.

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   Rochelle Frankposted 15 years ago

   "Render unto Caesar..." I guess all of our money has the governments seal on it-- so it all belongs to them.
   
   Anyone want to Barter?

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   sandra rinckposted 15 years ago

   I dunno, I was talking to a really nice lady once studying the bible.  She is a witness and when I told her that I would not get married by the law, she said I had to because it was the only way to make it legal...
   
   Anyways, I told that if I ever get married again then I will just ask God and the government would have nothing to do with it so that way I didn't have to listen to them, the governemnt.
   
   LOL.
   
   I suppose there is a different view when it comes to who laws I am governed by.  Certainly it aint the government like we have today and I was under the impression that the appointed government were God's laws passed down by the prophets.
   
   And Caesar was appointed yes, but I thought that he needed to be appointed as an authority because someone needed to allow the Jews to make a decision to kill Jesus so that he would die and fullfil the prophecy. 
   
   But I suppose if a person really feels compelled to put another authority above God, then something isn't right even if the Bible does say that we are supposed to submit to the appointed authorities. 
   
   This sort of thinking is like saying I have also submit to the leader of China.  If there is someone above me besides God that I would submit to it would be my folks and God knows I have done things for them that I have not wanted to do because they were appointed above me but not above God. 

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