This topic of paying taxes is undoubtedly a very explosive one, but as usual, I have come to present the word of God raw to either support the truth or expose the lies. To get the most out of my posts, I would insist on the reader studying the scriptures and following the path it leads. My posts heavily rely on the reader knowing what the scripture says and whether they understand it. The dramatised audio Bible goes a long toward traversing the scriptures.
The most popular belief is that we should pay taxes. This belief may stem from the practice’s being in place for centuries or because the world’s underbelly has spread the propaganda that we need to love money. Also that governments, infrastructure, and a beast with ever-increasing demands need money to survive. From a biblical perspective, Mark 12:13-17, shown below, has been traditionally used to justify the Bible agreeing with the current taxation position.
Their mantra is mistaken.
The ingenious Pharisaical trap
13. And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
14. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cæsar, or not?
15. Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
16. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cæsar’s.
17. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
The dialogue above between Jesus and the Pharisees can also be found in Luke 20:20-26 and Mathew 22:16-22.
Many people believe that Jesus says to pay taxes in these passages, but this is far from the case. Jesus superbly navigated this question by providing an answer that relied heavily on the listeners’ knowledge of the scriptures. The Pharisees intended to catch Jesus through his own words. Thereby they devised a very clever scheme to get Jesus to speak the truth of the scriptures, but by doing this, they would condemn him by going against the Roman empire.
And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
The Pharisees and Herodians first established to the audience that Jesus speaks the Word of God truthfully irrespective of who it concerns. Now that they had created a stage or rather a cage for Jesus to operate within, they then presented the question of whether paying taxes was legitimate according to the Word of God.
Jesus knew what they were up to, entrapping and then accusing him, and showed this by stating, “why do ye tempt me”. He then proceeded to present a duality of understanding in his response. He achieved one half of the duality by bringing focus to the coin and Cæsar’s face on the coin so that those who did not know the scriptures would focus on this, while those who knew the scriptures would understand that everything belongs to God.
So when Jesus stated, “Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”, those who understood the scriptures would know that everything belongs to God. Therefore, nothing belongs to Cæsar, but those who did not know the scriptures would conclude he is saying it’s okay to pay taxes.
They were clever but not as bright as the Son of God.
Jesus focused on the goal
Why did Jesus not merely answer the question with a straightforward, we should not pay taxes? The reason is that he came to perform many tasks, and his work was not complete.
17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
He yet had things to fulfil, and therefore he avoided their traps.
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
There are many references where Jesus states that it was not yet time to die and that he could call upon God for protection on his walk (John 7:28-30, Matthew 26:48-56, Matthew 4:5-6).
What belongs to Cæsar?
And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
The previous explanation might be sufficient for those who know the scriptures, but what about those who do not? The evidence below will show through the Bible that everything belongs to God despite the world’s kings (leaders) saying otherwise.
Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.
The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
These passages from each section of the Bible are clear who owns everything. God is the creator of everything, and he holds everything. Giving man dominion over the earth doesn’t transfer ownership.
It is clear what Jesus meant when he said: “render to Cæsar”. Nothing belongs to Cæsar.
Taxes
In the passage below is the guidance on taxation from Jesus.
24. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25. He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26. Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
While the kingdom of heaven, God’s kingdom, has no intention of enslaving his people (Jeremiah 34:8-11, Ezekiel 18:8-9, Ezekiel 18:13, Ezekiel 18:17, Ezekiel 22:12), the kingdom on earth has no problem with that and enslaves those who are outside of their families with taxes.
Jesus’s instruction is to pay the taxes so that you do not offend, and thus they hinder your work for the kingdom of heaven.
Taxes are a form of slavery, and that is not the intention of God. Furthermore, the priest and Levites, the people who did the work of God across all tribes, were not to be taxed, tolled, or levied.
Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
The kingdom of God vs The world
What should we offer when God is our leader in return for this leadership? What does God want in return for his guidance, support, armament, and protection?
God asks us to keep following his laws, which creates an environment that benefits us. We worship & love him by keeping his commandments, and his commandments help us. On the other hand, when men lead us, the benefits go to the leaders (1 Samuel 8:10-19).
God warned that we would be under their thumb when men lead us, and we will suffer their whims. His instructions provide a good life for all of us, but the kings of the earth create benefit for themselves (1 Kings 12:1-16).
29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest un to your souls.
30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Conclusion
When God led Israel, the people were free, but the people suffered once men started to rule. The people of God were not put here to be led by men and transitively were not put here to serve men. God does not want gold and silver; he created it all; he doesn’t need or desire these things. God imparts His love for our happiness. He is a father to His children and thus chastises us when we step out of line, challenges us so that we grow, protects us from our enemies and in return, all we need to do is love (worship) Him by keeping his commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Taxation is not a part of the kingdom of God and is not meant for the children of God. This fact is not to say that the children will never pay for anything, but the system on the earth today is not intended by God. The system is what it is for the moment until the king returns.
Now we are to work for the kingdom of God and not let the mechanism of this kingdom stop us. If this means to pay our taxes, then we pay our taxes.