Tax Day is upon us, and with it comes the realization that I have sent a lot of money to support my government. This raises the question of just what it is that I’m supporting. How much of my money will be spent on bombs and bullets? How much will provide medical care? How much will fund abortions? How much to educate the next generation? Do I agree with the textbooks my dollars will purchase or the deaths my bombs will cause? Sadly, many things my money will buy are things to which I am opposed. So, what should I do?
This dilemma is not new. A group of Pharisees once brought it up with Jesus (see Mark 12:13-17). They were forced to pay taxes to a government that spent the money to build pagan temples in Rome, build an army that oppressed them, and provide entertainment for Caesar. Let’s face it, they could have thought of much better ways to spend their money. So, they came to Jesus with a question, “Should we pay taxes or not?” Admittedly, they were asking the question to try to trip Jesus up and turn public opinion against him, but it was still an important question? Am I responsible for how my government spends my tax dollars?
Jesus’ famous answer was, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mark 12:17) His answer tells me that my material possessions belong to this world, but my life belongs to God. The world can demand and take my pound of flesh, but not my heart, mind, and soul.