Question

Very few of us like to pay taxes, but the concept of taxation precedes all of us. There are a number of verses and parables about tax collection, such as Luke 3:11-16: "He answered and said unto them. He that has two coats let him impart to him that has none; and he that has food, let him do likewise" (King James 2000 Bible). Using any verse or parable from the Bible, compare and contrast the modern tax system with that from biblical times.

Please be original NO COPY AND PASTE

Answer 1

The concept of taxation began in Ancient Egypt 3000-2800bc.At that ancient time itself a failure to pay, along evasion or resistance to pay tax is punishable under law. The taxes are of two types direct and indirect tax.

Going through Bible there are many verses which depict about taxes.In the biblical times there were no relaxation for tax. Every individual is entitled to pay tax.But compaing to modern tax system, we have certain tax slabs and relaxation. Thats why in ancient time it is considered that tax collectors are sinners. Because even the poor people should pay the tax and the king appoints the tax collectors. These tax collectors has the right to collect the tax from each and every one in the society, and one who failed to pay the tax collectors can sue him. At that time the trials were very cruel and any everyone will pay the tax to avoid the trials.

In Bible it is clealy say that we should pay tax. In MATHEW 22: 17-21

17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?

19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,

20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Look at the words from Jesus Christ,he says "So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” From this it is clear that we should pay tax to the government and we should pay the Tithe to god. When we are deepely examining the new testaments it is not tithe, it is about share. ie: if a person earns $10 and there are 3 members in his family including him, He should pay $2.5 to God. He should include 1 more person in his family and pay that share to God.

Other verses about paying taxes or to government/king

• Romans 13:7-8 : Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

• Ezra 4:13 : Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired.

• Amos 5:11 “Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine.”

In conclusion, even though taxes and death are inevitable, we should focus more on the fact that we are doing the right thing. That doesn’t mean that we should approve of unjust taxes or corruption at all. But when we obey the laws of the land, when we respect our leaders, and when we pay our taxes, we are following the example that Jesus himself gave us while he walked on the earth. Therefore, paying taxes is not only a requirement but a privilege we have as Christians if we are to be obedient to God. When we follow his leading, the Lord will provide for us each and every time.