April 15, 2018 10:30 AM
“I’M THE TAXMAN”
Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor
TODAY’S FUNNY:
“The Witnesses”
Saturday morning the weather was too bad to play golf. The old man was bored with nothing to do. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. He opened it to find two young, well-dressed men standing there who said:
“Hello sir, We’re from the Kingdom Hall and we’d like to talk with you.”
So the man said, “Come in and have a seat!” He offered them a fresh cup of coffee and asked, “What do you young men want to talk about?”
They looked at each other & said, “Beats us. We never got this far before.”
INTRODUCTION
Today is traditionally the day when taxes are due in New York State. But does the Bible have anything to say about taxes? Don’t you wish it didn’t? Let’s check it out!
PRAYER
#1 THE BIBLE AND TAXES
There are about 15 verses in Scripture which deal with the subject of taxes. Allow me to refer to 3 subjects to give an idea of both the Old and New Testament understandings:
A. Illustration #1. We all remember the story of the shepherd boy David. He came alongside to bring food to his brothers who were in battle against the enemies of Israel, the Philistines. We remember the giant, Goliath, coming out and making a challenge. We remember David drawing 5 smooth stones out of the brook, placing one in his well-used sling, and with a very deft throw piercing the giant’s skull – soon killing the giant with the giant’s own sword. But do we remember what King Saul offered any slayers of the giant? 1 Sam. 17:25 says in part, “The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” I’m sure David’s dad, Jesse, was overwhelmed to be the recipient of such a kingly gesture! Wouldn’t you be?
B. Illustration # 2. In the book of Ezra, there are several astute references to taxes. First, the opponents of the building of the wall were concerned that the success of its completion would mean that Persia would no longer receive taxes from Israel (Ezra 4:13). Of course, this charge was false – but it was used as a means of encouraging the King of Persia to issue a stop order for the rebuilding of the security walls of Jerusalem. And when the wall was complete, and the service of the temple was once again in order, one of the standing orders – as per Jewish law – was the amazing reminder by the King of Persia that the people of Israel “have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of [their own] priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God.” (Ezra 7:24). The subject of taxes was indeed most important in the Old Testament!
C. Illustration #3. In our “Call to Worship” , Romans 13 was cited to show the heart of God concerning taxes in New Testament times. Let’s re-read vs. 6-7. What is the amazing thing of this passage? At the time of that writing, Israel was under Roman law. The taxes referred to were not being given to build up the nation of Israel. They were given to build up Rome! And yet the NT principle is that Christians of all generations and under all governments are as best as possible to be model citizens. Taxes are to be a part of that privilege of being a citizen of the country in which one dwells. Ouch? Or “in everything give thanks”? So even the New Testament encourages especially Christian citizens to show their submission to the laws of their land.
#2 THE LORD JESUS AND TAXES
You are probably familiar with the passage in Luke 20. The teachers of the law and the chief priests saw the Savior as being at the least an opponent of the law, and at best, a threat to their rule over the spiritual guidance of Israel.
In the familiar passage of Luke 20, they sent what the text calls “spies” to trap Him so that His Words would justify their arresting Him for treason to both Israel and to Rome. They asked the classic question, “Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” The question was a well-placed trap. If He said yes, the Jews would be upset that He was on the side of their enemy, the Romans. But if He said, “no”, then these spies could turn Him over to Rome as a traitor of the state.
You remember His classic answer to their classic question: “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
In just a few short words, our Savior showed the totality of a model countrymen even within times which were harsh to the country’s citizens.
Let’s not forget the verse which follows that line: “They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.” That should be a lesson to us modern day citizens: allow the Word of God to change the hearts of those who are most bitter to the Word.
#3 PETER GOES FISHING FOR TAXES (Matt. 17:24-27)
Perhaps this passage in Matthew is simply the gospel writer Matthew’s remembrance of the same incident recorded above in Luke 20. But in his wry way, Matthew shares the lesson through the eyes of an apostle, Peter, rather than through the eyes of the Savior.
Once again, there are several important lessons for us present day citizens:
1. Jesus’ disciples will be grilled (v. 24). In a very visual example of whether or not Peter knew what he really believed, or if he really knew what the heart of the Savior is on any given subject, his quick response to these tax collectors’ question shows one definitive answer: Peter really didn’t know what he believed. He perhaps was more interested to get these tax collectors out of his space than he was in sharing the Savior’s insights.
But more importantly, what Peter should have learned is the lesson we should learn: our faith, if it is genuine, should be able to stand any test, any trial, any inquisition – whether from the enemy or from friends.
Turn to Acts 4:7-12. Peter was a minister in the amazing healing of a crippled beggar (Acts 3). By Acts 4, the religious rulers of Peter’s day questioned how he and his co-workers did what they did. In essence, they were asking, “how is it that you, a common fisherman, are trying to have more authority in spiritual matters than we seasoned spiritual leaders do?”
Verse 12 is a life verse: “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Jesus disciples will be grilled – be prepared to answer!
2. Jesus’ disciples need to learn of Him (vs. 25-26)
So how does a disciple get prepared to answer the questions of faith? By learning of Jesus!
And how do you and I get prepared to answer the questions of faith? By learning of Jesus – through His written word! So let me ask you – for only you know the answer. Are you in the Word of God more than just the few minutes of the Sunday morning service? Without a show of hands, how many of you have more than one Bible in your home? And how many of those stay closed during the week? That is not to be a judgmental observation. It is meant to be an encouraging prod to get you into the Word of God on a more regular basis. For starters, there are 31 chapters in Proverbs. Why not read each day the chapter which corresponds to that day of the month? There are 150 psalms. Why not read 5 psalms per day – and you’ll have the entire book of psalms read on a regular monthly basis. There are 4 gospels. Why not read ONE chapter in the gospels each day – and continue the cycle of reading through the gospels throughout the year. There are 66 books in the Bible. Why not read 3 chapters a day and maybe 5 on Sunday – and you will have read the entire Bible in less than one year!
Get prepared to answer the questions of faith by being a student of the book which encourages faith. Remember Romans 10:17: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Learn of Jesus.
CONCLUSION
Jesus disciples had one more lesson to learn, and so do we. We need to be surprised by Him in our trust (v. 27).
So the seasoned fisherman succumbs to Jesus’ authority that, though he is a citizen of heaven, he shows that citizenship by being a model citizen of the country in which he lives.
And in order to show that model citizenry, he pays the required taxes of that country.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, what happens next?
At the prodding of the Son of God, the seasoned fisherman, Peter, goes fishing. The Savior of the world, the Creator of the world, gives Peter some fishy story about going fishing to catch the required funds needed to pay taxes. WHAT?
Peter catches one fish. And in the mouth of that fish – not in the fish’s belly or on a snagged line or anywhere else – will be the coin which represents the tax sum required by the local government.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED? Peter learned to be surprised by Jesus in his own trust in the Savior. The Savior would be true to Himself. The Savior would be true to His Word. And the Savior could be trusted. In essence, He was saying, “And I will supply all of your needs according to My riches in glory.”
It is tax week. And don’t be surprised when the King of the universe cares that you pay your taxes! In so doing, you just may show to someone that Jesus alone is worthy of their eternal trust.
Close in Prayer
First Baptist Church, 9 West Main St. Earlville, NY 13332
Inviting and Accepting