Tax Time

I guess you know it’s time to appease the gods at the Infernal Revenue Service. I guess it’s not fair to gripe about having to pay your fair share of tax. After all, this is the greatest country in the world where we are free to work at whatever pleases us and earn more money per capita than anyone else in the world. Yet, we still complain we’re not making enough money and the taxes we pay are not being spent wisely by those distributing the wealth. The only true complaint I have with the IRS is the fact that no one person running the place can fully comprehend or satisfactorily interpret it’s own code, lacking the ability to repeat the same interpretation twice. The IRS code is so foggy it can be made to fit any situation a good bookkeeper or lawyer is in need. I say this with tongue-in-cheek, but as we both know, the tax laws have been written to be abused and unfortunately it too often is. Don’t be a fool and forget, April 15th.
An American and a Dutchman were talking. “What does your country flag look like?” asked the American. “It has three stripes,” replied the Dutchman, “red, white and blue. We jokingly say they have a connection with our taxes – we get red when we talk about them, we turn white when we get our tax bill in the mail and it seems we pay until we’re blue in the face.” “That’s just how it is in my country,” said the American. Then with a little giggle, he said the Dutchman, “Only we see stars too.”
The preacher was called by the Internal Revenue Service about a $2500 contribution claimed by a church member. “Did he really give that amount?” the investigator asked. The preacher reflected a moment, then said, “I’d rather not say right now, but if you will call me back tomorrow, I am quit sure the answer will be yes.”
While being interviewed by an IRS investigator, a man insisted that his wife’s cosmetics were a legal deduction. Rationalizing that the household is always being compared to running a small business by government financial guidance counselors, he concluded that not only was the annual cost outrageous, it was also a total loss.
[Romans 13:1-7] Since the tax collector arrived on the scene, he has been disliked. Even in the Bible, the tax collector is spoken about in rather strong terms. In the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke people questioned the fact that Jesus shared a meal with “tax collectors”, like it was an unforgivable sin to do so. The tax collector got a bad rap even when compared to the rest of society. When Jesus ate with Matthew, “…many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.” (Matt. 9:10) In the roll call of the twelve disciples who received authority from Jesus, there is one “Mathew, the tax collector”. (Matt. 10:3) Jesus was accused of being a demon, and “Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” (Matt. 11:18-19) Jesus spoke a parable of two sons (Matt. 21:28-32) and because of the answer to his question he said, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” To this day, the tax collector is singled out and placed in a category of his own. When asked about paying taxes Jesus replied, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.” As a child of God, I am directed to pay my taxes, and do it without grumbling. Romans 13: 1-7 clearly states my obligation to the governing authorities. God is still on his throne and in control of everything. “My taxes are too high and I can’t do a thing about it.” PRAY about it!