The Amish Voice 12
What Does the Bible Say About Paying Taxes?
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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 mar-
velled, 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 clarifica-
tion 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 damna-
tion.”
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 continu-
ally upon this very thing.
—Continued on page 11—
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