fill out your 1040 Income Tax

Surely the title of this essay didn't startle you?!  If so, you may
need to do some scrambling to either fill out your 1040 Income Tax
forms, or find the form to file for an extension.  Most of us have
seen this day coming and groan each year as the day approaches.

The subject of paying taxes is never a popular one, but as Benjamin
Franklin wrote decades ago, the only certainties in life are death and
paying taxes.  We typically view the concept in a negative light,
feeling that taxes are too high.  We may resentfully point to another
tax day that just passed - "tax freedom day".  That's the date on
which the burden of taxation can be said to have been paid off.  In
2010 that date was April 9, meaning that the tax rate on the nation's
income is 26.9%.

There are positive ways to view taxes, however, and we should pursue
that line of thought now and then.  How is it possible, after all,
that there are streets and highways upon which we can drive our
vehicles?  Why is it that there are firefighters and police officers
who will quickly show up when called?  Most of us enjoy trash
collection services; how does that happen, and why are there landfills
where trash can be stored without seriously damaging the environment?

All of those scenarios have one thing in common: They're activities
made possible by taxes paid by the citizens.  True, not everyone
agrees with all the ways taxes have been put to use.  But would anyone
affirm that our communities would be better off without this way of
funding activities for the common good?

Two millennia ago people did not enjoy paying taxes.  Jesus was
questioned about His views on whether or not it was "lawful to pay
taxes to Caesar" (Matthew 22:17).  The ones who asked that thought
they had Jesus on the horns of a dilemma.  If Jesus said "No", He
would be in trouble with the Roman authorities.  If He said "Yes", He
would fall out of favor with the people.  They thought they had Jesus
trapped.

The Lord's answer was brilliant.  After the adversaries admitted that
Caesar's image was stamped onto the coins they used Jesus said,
"Render therefore to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God
the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21).  The answer caused all to
marvel.

A few years later the apostle Paul would teach the same truth: "Let
every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no
authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are
appointed by God" (Romans 13:1).  Paul did not mean that every human
ruler always acts just as they should.  But the office of the ruler
should be approached with respect and submission.

Peter also taught Christians to "submit yourselves to every ordinance
of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to
governors ... for this is the will of God, that by doing good you may
put to silence the ignorance of foolish men" (1 Peter 2:13-15).

No, we don't enjoy paying taxes.  But we do enjoy the benefits of
living in an orderly society.  Not every action of the government will
be wise or right.  But those who heed the apostles' doctrine will
submit without grumbling.

Timothy D. Hall.

First Corinthians commentary:  Get the new First Corinthians commentary from www.abiblecommentary.com.  Preview the First Corinthians commentary through Google books at http://bit.ly/dfw86d.  Other Bible commentary material from www.abiblecommentary.com includes a FREE on-line Romans commentary:  http://bit.ly/3MRU5I