What Does God Think About Taxes?

Tax season will soon be upon us. I’m sure you go through the same process every year like I do to collect all your documents and file your taxes. Then you hold your breath, hoping you get the return that you wanted and there are no issues. Have you ever stopped to consider what God thinks about taxes?

Jesus had a clear stance on taxes: Pay them. He said plainly, “Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Matt. 22:21, CSB).

Paul had similar instructions to the church in Rome, who were taking their first steps in faith following Christ. He’s inspired by the Holy Spirit and speaking to us today when he says, “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” (Romans 13:7).

I’m sure there were believers in the Roman church as unhappy with the government then as people are today. Yet the whole letter of Romans is Paul discipling them—and us—to think and live differently than the world. Why? Because maybe our passport says we’re citizens of the USA with all the rights that come with that, but we’re ultimately citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20, 1 Peter 2:11).

Although unrighteous and evil leaders win wars, win elections, and rise to power, God is sovereign over the nations. The only power our leaders have is what he allows them to have (Romans 13:1). That’s why we don’t have to be afraid to pay taxes, even to an unrighteous government—because God is ultimately in control. He operates in a different economy, a spiritual one, and we’re citizens of his kingdom.

Taxation and the Church

What’s more, I believe taxes are necessary because of our lack of hospitality. The church was God’s plan to take care of the least of these.

Instead of complaining about paying taxes, I encourage you to ask yourself, “What if Christians like me gave so much the IRS was curious? What if we gave so much the IRS thought we were cheating on our taxes? And what if we started giving so much the IRS believed it had to be an accident?”

Is this possible? You bet. It already happened in the first century. The early Christians, our forefathers in faith, gave generously to all in need (Acts 2:45). This was so shocking that the Romans became curious. That’s right—our financial actions can make others curious about the Gospel and the hope that is in us.

As you pay your taxes this year, ask the Lord to search your heart. Are you overflowing with hospitality and generosity towards others so that if everyone was living the way you were, there wouldn’t be a need for taxes?

Using Taxes to Witness

It’s not a surprise to any of us that most lost people complain about paying taxes. If we’re being honest, most Christians do, too. What kind of testimony do you have if you follow suit?

1 Corinthians 10:31 says to glorify God in everything we do. Use paying your taxes as an opportunity to give glory to God. Use it as an opportunity to witness. How can you do that?

• When others complain about taxes, tell them you’re happy to pay them because you know the Lord is sovereign.
• When others complain to you about the government, use it as an opportunity to ask them, “Have you prayed for your government leaders recently? Would you like to pray with me for our country right now?”

Jesus calls us to be light to the world. That light should be so attractive in the darkness that people question us, saying, “What do you mean you don’t complain about taxes? What do you mean you don’t complain about our political leaders?”

We can moan and groan about the state of affairs. We can complain about the taxes we owe—or we can be Christians who stick out by paying the taxes we owe while praying for our leaders. And we can give radically so that there is little tax need in our communities because our grateful hearts are overflowing with the Gospel lived out. The saying goes, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I say it this way: “Be the church that you want to see engage the world.” You are the church.