Shade Tree Wisdom 12/12/09

“13 They sent some Pharisees and followers of Herod to bait him, hoping to catch him saying something incriminating. 14 They came up and said, "Teacher, we know you have integrity, that you are indifferent to public opinion, don't pander to your students, and teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 15 He knew it was a trick question, and said, "Why are you playing these games with me? Bring me a coin and let me look at it." 16 They handed him one. "This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?" "Caesar," they said. 17 Jesus said, "Give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his." Their mouths hung open, speechless.” Mark 12, 13-17 MSG

So I paid my yearly taxes to the county this week. These taxes fund 662 law enforcement officers, 7 libraries, 4 road and bridge budgets, 7 district, 5 county, and 2 JP courts. Included in the total for the year is $ 23,191,701 for debt services.

St. Paul wrote about this subject also when he called the Christian to be a “good citizen.” In Romans 13,1. this is what he said “1 Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen. 2 If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. 3 Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you're trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear. Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you'll get on just fine, 4 the government working to your advantage. But if you're breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren't there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. 5 That's why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it's the right way to live. 6 That's also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. 7 Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.” Romans 13, 1-7 MSG.

Part of our trouble lies in the great amounts of monies being spent. And much of it nationally comes under “ear marks", that is moneys voted to be spent on programs that the US Government was not meant to fund. No, you can’t convince me that my tax money was meant to be spent on building a turtle tunnel to cross some highway in Florida. And whose fault is it finally? It is the voter who keeps on voting for these people because they “bring home the bacon” with pet projects for their areas. The solution, of course, lies in what St. Paul taught in 1 Timothy 2,1. Let’s hear what this is. “I urge, then, first of all, that prayers be made for everyone, for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may live quiet and peaceable lives. . .this is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved.”

GPD 12/12/09