Is Government Coveting our Money?

Every working American has federal, state, local, Social Security and Medicare taxes taken out of his/her paycheck. But did you know there are more than 40 other taxes we pay? To name a few: unemployment and workers compensation tax, sales, property, and utility taxes, gas taxes, and even taxes for dog licenses. The average American spends 46-58% of his or her income on taxes!

I read an interesting article yesterday that our government is guilty of breaking the 10th commandment: “You must not covet your neighbor's house… or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” And then Moses goes on to say, “You shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, who hate covetousness, to be your rulers.” (Ex. 20:17; 18:21) Clearly, God did not want coveters ruling over the people, taking what is not theirs.

I worked for the federal government for 25 years. And every year when the budgets were prepared, I watched with disgust as our Agency competed with other agencies to get more money than it got the year before—whether they needed it or not. It was nothing less than unbridled greed. Paul said the end-times would be characterized by men who are exceedingly greedy (1 Tim 3:1-2a) Is government over-taxation another sign of the times?

Which Convention would Jesus attend?

Last week’s Republican Convention produced little surge for Romney. The Democratic one in Charlotte, NC this week will likely fare no better. People are not feeling very hopeful. Regardless of what party takes office in November, can there, realistically, be any significant change? U. S. foreign policy will be largely unaffected, healthcare costs will grow, Social Security and Medicare will move closer to default, the national debt will swell, and political gridlock will continue.

I am not  being pessismistic, but biblical, when I say there will be increasing lawlessness, confusion, and chaos before Christ returns (2 Thess. 2). The contentious conventions are just part of that!  Aren't you glad Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)?

I am not suggesting we disengage from the political process, but we should abstain from political conflict.  After all, Christ called us to build the kingdom of God, defined as righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). I didn't see much of that in Tampa, and don't expect to see it in Charlotte this week either. Wouldn't it be fantastic to go to a convention where everyone is “seeking first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33)?

Getting Away with Murder

Last week, something happened that made people say ‘she got away with murder.’ Of course, I am referring to the Casey Anthony verdict. In all “fairness,” the jury said there was not enough evidence to “prove” her guilt. Was it unfair? Then last week, another thing happened that strikes the same chord: President Obama said he wants to raise taxes on higher income earners to help reduce the debt. He says the rich are not paying their fair share!  People are saying, “These CEOs are getting away with murder.”

Though I’m fascinated by the political side of both stories, I am more interested in their spiritual nature. “Unfairness” has troubled mankind ever since Cain accused God of unfairly judging his sacrifice. It seems the only way he could ‘get even’ with God was to murder his brother. Centuries later, Jesus told a story about a brother who accused his father of being unfair when his younger brother (AKA, the ‘Prodigal son’) went off to a foreign country and wasted his inheritance, but upon returning found his father’s unconditional love intact. When you read that story, can’t you understand the older son’s feelings?

The reality is life is unfair. Some 'underserving' people have far more than others. And let’s face it—watching people get away with murder is very discouraging. So how do we guard our hearts from this stronghold of bitterness and discouragement? Peter says Jesus left us an example to follow. “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” (1 Peter 2:22-23 NLT) When life seems unfair, there is only one thing to do—keep your eyes on Jesus, and “think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up” (Hebrews 12:3 NLT).

How Much Do You Owe?

April 15: the day of reckoning: Your taxes are due. Famous for declaring that the only certainty in life is “death and taxes,” Benjamin Franklin also said government taxes were nothing compared to our more grievous obligations. “We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, 3 times as much by our pride, and 4 times as much by our folly,” he said. Now there’s a man who did not understand forgiveness.

Forgiveness is to be free of obligation. Imagine for a moment that you have received a letter from IRS forgiving your tax obligation. But “feeling” undeserving, you refuse their offer. You pay it anyway.

I think many Christians live under false debt, presuming their sins are too great to be forgiven. “I know God forgives me, but I just can’t forgive myself,” they say, thus lingering in their guilt. Do you know the Bible never talks about “forgiving yourself?” Only God can forgive. You possess no such power within yourself! And God's forgiveness is based on Christ having paid our obligation in full. It is as simple as that (1 Jn. 1:9).

Moreover, the Bible says that when God forgives us, He remembers our sins no more (Jer. 31:34). Not that He forgets, but that He chooses not to remember. If God chooses not to remember your sins, why do you? (And how much more insulting is your failure to receive God’s forgiveness than to refuse forgiveness from the IRS!) Do your former sins keep coming to your mind? Choose to remember them no more! Fill your mind with gratitude. And rejoice that you are debt free. You owe absolutely nothing.

How to "Live Happily Ever AFTER"

Whoever said “there are two things in life you can count on: death and taxes,” forgot about another sure thing: trials! This side of Heaven, each of us will go through trials. But there is a purpose to our trials: they are for TESTING our faith. And though tests are a normal part of life, still we are surprised and disturbed when they show up, intrusively and unannounced! And while in the middle of one, we imagine it will last forever, but it will not; there is always an AFTER!

“…no one should be disturbed by these trials; you know quite well that we were destined for them …For it has been granted to us, on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him…so don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you…knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance…you need endurance so that AFTER you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…of course, we know that no trial is enjoyable while it is happening—it is painful, but AFTERWARD there will be a harvest of peace and righteousness for those who have been trained by it… therefore, AFTER you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
(Paraphrased from 1 Thess. 3:3: Phil. 1:29; 1 Peter 4:12; James 1:3; Heb. 12:11; 1 Peter 5:10; Heb. 10:36)

Let us pray for God’s strength to endure until He brings us into our AFTER. (Maybe we really can live happily ever after!!)