Mark 12:13-17 Should We Pay Our Taxes

Devotional CCS 15 Apr 19

Besides Monday, can anyone tell me what Day it is? It is National Tax Day

Today is the deadline your parents have to file their taxes.

Can any one under the age of 12 tell me what taxes are?

This is the money the government takes from the money your earned from work or interest or dividend to help run the government.

Did Jesus talk about taxes? Yes

And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?" 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar's." 17 Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at him.

In effect, Jesus says pay your taxes. Why?

God ordains taxes and civil government (the police, the courts, the fire department, etc. to restrain evil. Because man is sinful we need thing like police, fire departments, army, air force, navy, marines and coast guard. It pays for all the things to help keep good order in order in the community.

Do your parents like paying taxes? No

Because sometimes the people in charge of spending the money they collect spend it on things that are not wise.

So what should we do as Christians do.

1. Pray for those who lead us.

2. Vote for those who follow godly principles

3. Pay our taxes.

4. Always remember when necessary to obey God rather to