What Does The Bible Say About Paying Taxes

By Joe Keim

September 1, 2011

What did Jesus teach his disciples about paying taxes? We will see that the Bible is very clear on this issue.

If you read Matthew 17:24-27, you will learn that even Jesus paid taxes:

The Bible says, when Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the tax collectors came to Peter and asked,  

"Doth not your master pay tribute (taxes)?"

"Yes" he replied.

It goes on to say, Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What thinkest thou, Simon?" he asked. "of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?"

"Peter saith unto him, Of strangers."

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Three of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke each tell of another incident, when the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus in his words, and find a reason to accuse him. In Matthew 22:15-22 we read:

"Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

They say unto him, Caesar's.

Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way."

This same incident is also recorded in Mark 12:13-17 and Luke 20:20-26.

So the gospels leave no doubt that Jesus taught his followers not only in words, but by example, to give to the government any taxes that are owed.

In Romans 13:1, Paul brings further clarification to this concept, along with an even broader responsibility to Christians:

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers (government). For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."

Therefore, we can conclude from this verse, if we don't pay taxes we are rebelling against the authorities established by God.

Romans 13:2 gives this warning:

"Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."

And finally, regarding the paying of taxes, Paul couldn't make it any clearer in Romans 13:5-7:

"Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."

Maybe you are like me, and think, but what happens when the government spends my money unwisely, or worse yet, they spend my money on things like evolution, abortion, and various other things that are strictly against the Word of God.

My thoughts are as follows:

My job is to obey God's ordinance, just like it says in Romans 13:2:

"Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."

What the government does with my tax dollars is up to them. They will be held accountable for how they spend it.

Don't forget, it takes taxes and government to build and upkeep our roads, protect us from harm, keep criminals behind bars and many other things we enjoy and often take for granted.

So, let's pay our taxes and pray that God would give our government wisdom and a right mind to spend it correctly and in a godly way.

-- Joe Keim

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