A Good Christian Is A Good Citizen

It is amazing that Jesus also had to deal with taxes during his time. One of the twelve (Matthew) used to be a tax collector. Taxes are an essential element when people agree to live together in community. They are the cost of being a party to the social contract. At their very core, taxes reflect the Christian value of sharing. And Jesus encouraged his followers to pay them. “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

It is an inspiring moment when government conscientiously spend tax money for the good of the community. This is seen in the level of education, health and social services done for the people, specially for the vulnerable and the underprivileged. It is not always easy to collect nor to pay taxes. There are always loopholes in tax codes, often created or put in place by those in power themselves to protect their own pocket from the tax man. Or, these same people in power raid the public coffers for their own benefit. Some societies have abolished taxes but these started by declaring everything belonged to the State. In some societies, where the Church used to wield much power, the Church have been able to legislate tax exemptions for itself.

Just as laws are needed to provide a safe and equitable environment for people to live in, so taxes are necessary to pay for common and vital services, specially those services and projects that are too big for any one individual to undertake or that are too risky or unrewarding for any person to do. Taxes thus enable an environment where the poor and the needed, the vulnerable and the underprivileged can be served and protected.

Then they sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with tthey came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no ruth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?”
Mark 12:13-17

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