Paid Your Taxes Yet?

[Darris McNeely] Here in the United States it's April 17th, and for us here this year this is tax day—the day that federal income taxes are due. No one likes this day, but it comes around every year.

[Steve Myers] It does come around every year and I suppose the question comes up, why should I have to pay my taxes? Why is that important? And is there anything spiritual that's related to that? I think that's an important question that we should ask on this day.

[Darris McNeely] Jesus Christ did say in the gospels, He said, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God's that which is God's" (Luke 20:25 & Mark 12:17). Anytime we start dealing with money it always impacts…

[Steve Myers] It gets personal…

[Darris McNeely] It gets personal. And it also reflects on really on some of our inner-most feelings and attitudes not only toward a human government, but also toward God and toward His rule in our own life.

[Steve Myers] Yeah, and I think that's a valuable point. And this isn't something that's just modern day.  Back in the time of Paul he wrote to the Romans, chapter 13 he said, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities" (Romans 13:1). So there is a sense of a connection between our spirituality and what we do today. Even in, we could say, paying our taxes. And it's a vital point. Now if we were to read that in the Message translation it says, "Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. And so far as there's peace and order it's God's. So live responsibly as a citizen." So there is a connection between our spirituality and our relationship with our government.

[Darris McNeely] I think it's important for us to recognize that really our attitude toward money, our attitude toward government—whether it's human government or God's government and God's rule—really should be taken from the scriptures, not some political ideology or some other idea that is commonly held. Look to the Scriptures. Find what God says. Take that attitude toward money, toward government, and even toward the governments that are over us. It's going to be better for us in the long run and we're going to have a more prosperous life.

[Steve Myers] That's BT Daily. We'll see you next time.