Tax: Paying What Is Due
Taxes touch every adult life, yet Scripture shows that paying what is due is part of honouring God and the authorities He has placed over us.
Why We Pay Taxes
Taxes are a necessary part of life; these compulsory charges fund a government, public services and amenities. Jesus told people to give to the ruling authority what was due to them and, by example, paid what was asked of Him (Mt 17:27, 22:21). The Bible says if you owe taxes, pay them, for this shows you are submitted to divinely appointed, delegated authority. The only debt we should have, and can never fully repay, is the continuing debt to love each other (Rom 13:5-8).
As with any debt – it must be paid
Jesus and the Tax Collectors
During the early New Testament period, Israel was under the domination of the Roman Empire. Various Jews were appointed by the Romans to collect taxes from their own people. They were permitted to take a commission on what they collected but often overcharged and so were doubly disliked – for extortion as well as assisting the Roman authorities. Matthew, one of the 12 disciples, was a tax collector, and Jesus befriended many others with the intention of showing them a better way of life (Mk 2:14-17). To the repentant tax collectors Jesus said “Be honest”; Zacchaeus was one who demonstrated a changed lifestyle in response (Lk 3:12-13, 19:1-10). Jesus also told a parable of two men who prayed. The tax collector was repentant, asked for God’s mercy and was forgiven of his sin, while the self-righteous Pharisee disqualified himself (Lk 18:11-14).
Honesty in Every Return
Never cheat on your tax returns because this is stealing by giving a false report, and sin will catch up with you (Ex 20:15-16; Num 32:23). Tax evading – hiding income, inflating deductions or keeping transactions off the books – is theft dressed up as savings, and it places a heavier burden on honest neighbours who carry their share. Who can live with a guilty conscience? Integrity in the small, unseen financial matters builds the trustworthy character God can bless and use.
God sees everything
Honesty in taxation is also a witness. Non-believers often expect little integrity in money matters, so a believer who declares income fully, claims only legitimate deductions and pays promptly stands out (Mt 5:16; 1 Pet 2:12). It demonstrates that our trust is in God to provide, not in hidden gain. If an error is discovered – whether by us or by the authority – the example of Zacchaeus shows the right response: admit the wrong, repay what is owed, and where appropriate make restitution (Lk 19:8). Keeping accurate records and seeking qualified advice where the law is complex is not a lack of faith but a practical expression of stewardship (1 Cor 14:40).
Reflection and Application
- Do I pay my taxes promptly and in full, without resentment?
- Is my honesty the same in financial matters whether or not anyone would find out?
- Do I pray for those in government and the authorities who collect taxes?
- Do I see paying what is due as part of my witness to those watching my life?
See also: character, honesty, integrity, obligations, stealing.