Houston Bynum
Well, it's that time of year: April 15! "Taxpayers, open your checkbooks!" Ronald Reagan once said, "A taxpayer is someone who works for the federal government but who doesn't have to take a civil service examination." However, the federal income tax is only part of the tax structure in America. In a recent email, I noticed that we have over 50 different taxes in our country. Amazing!
Whether we live in the 1st century or the 21st century, there are taxes. Do you recall one day how our Lord provided a way for His disciples and Him to pay their taxes. He told His disciples to go cast a hook, take the first fish that comes up, & look in his mouth to find a coin for payment (Matthew 17:27). Jesus recognized to need to give both God and government their due. "Render to Caesar & render to God" (Matthew 22:17-22). The benefits of living in any nation are not without costs.
A story is told of a tax assessor who came one day to a poor Christian to determine the amount of taxes he would have to pay. The following is my adaptation of their conversation that followed:
"What property do you possess?" asked the assessor.
"I am a very wealthy man," replied the Christian.
"List your possessions, please," the assessor instructed.
The Christian said:
"First, I have the forgiveness of my sins, Colossians 1:14
Second, I have the abiding presence of Christ, Matthew 28:20
Third, I have divine love which never fails, 1 Corinthians 13:8
Fourth, I have joy unspeakable, 1 Peter 1:8
Fifth, I have peace that passes all understanding, Philippians 4:7
Sixth, I have a faithful wife, Proverbs 18:22
Seventh, I have healthy, happy, obedient children, Ephesians 6:1-4
Eighth, I have brothers & sisters in Christ to encourage me, Hebrews 10:24-25
Ninth, I have true, loyal friends, Proverbs 18:24
Tenth, I have songs in the night, Psalms 42:8
Eleventh, I have a mansion in heaven, John 14:2
Twelfth, I have a crown of life, James 1:12
Thirteenth, I have eternal life, 1 John 5:11-13."
The tax assessor closed his book, and said, "Truly you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation."My prayer is that each of you will receive this kind of tax free "wealth." Truly, all spiritual blessings are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). We enter into Christ through faith and baptism (Galatians 3:26-27). Thereby, we become heirs of God & joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
Christians are richly blessed!
