Render Unto Caesar...

Yes, it's that lovely time of year again, when we get out the sharpened pencils and calculators, the receipts and W-2s and 1099s, and sit for hours at our desks.

I just e-filed my taxes this morning.

Once more, I balanced out pretty well. I don't believe in big refunds. Why would I give my money to the government, just so I can fill out paperwork and get my own money back next year? That makes no sense at all! I try to take just enough deductions and have just enough withheld that I don't have to pay anything to the IRS at the end of the year.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do my taxes every year, and yes, I look for every legal deduction I can get. There is nothing wrong with that.

However, I do have a problem. There are just too many people who don't think they should have to do their taxes. They use false doctrines presented by people who do NOT have their best interests in mind.

Nobody likes to pay taxes. Nobody.

However, we all benefit from having a government that makes laws, takes care of the roads and economy. We may not always agree with the government, but we are Blessed here in America; we have the right to vote the scoundrals out and vote new ones in.

But back to the annual flauntings of tax scofflaws. There are plenty of scams out there, just check www.irs.gov. All too many of the Body are sucked into the scams and lies of the evil one. Yes, the evil one. Misdirection, lies, scams presented by fast talking tax preparers who are only out to collect your money. If the IRS catches up to them, they'll turn over on you in a heartbeat. If the IRS catches up to you, they'll abandon you without a thought, taking no responsibility for their slick lies.

Well, I have a thought for all of us. If we aren't supposed to pay taxes, how do we explain Mathew 22:15-22?

15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

To my mind, Jesus was telling them that as long as we live under law, there will be taxes and they must be paid. In addition, He was revealing the methods of the current day tax scofflaws who will suck you into a morass of legal problems, fines, perhaps even jail. The evil one doesn't have to do much, our need to hear that we don't have to cough up money is enough to suck all too many into the trap.

And I have another set of verses which are even more to the point, Mathew 17:25-27.

25 “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”

26 “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!

27 However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

Jesus was telling Peter to go with the program. And that includes paying taxes.

Don't be sucked in, my Brothers and Sisters.

At least go to www.irs.gov and check out the lastest scams, and then turn to your Word before you decide to go against the law and Jesus' words.

And remember, Jesus said He didn't come to set aside the law...