The Things of Man, The Things of God

Mark 12:13-17

Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him.

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Let me tell you how it will be;
There's one for you, nineteen for me.

"Taxman" by George Harrison recorded by The Beatles from "Revolver." This version features George Harrison and Eric Clapton.

This song was written about one of the most heinous of progressive taxes. In 1966, a 95% income tax was approved by the British Labour government of Prime Minister Harold Wilson. This happened at the same time The Beatles were beginning to make "real money." When George Harrison found out he went mad, but instead of marching, picketing, or starting a political party--he wrote a song.

Ironic isn't it, with "Taxman" George Harrison created something that created wealth that became an object of the tax he wrote about.

So what does Jesus teach about taxes? The first thing he teaches is that it is legal for the state to collect taxes. When you look at most money you find people of the state pictured on it. Whether it's the President, the Monarch, the Sovereign, or as they are often called in America, Dead Presidents; the people you find on money represent leaders of the place where it's from. So give it back to the state, it doesn't matter to God.

What is right is that we are to give to God what belongs to God. The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it (Psalm 24:1); since everything we have we received from God we owe everything to God. It's as easy as that.

We have been given many great gifts, but none of them are more important than life because life is our opportunity to be a part of the kingdom of God as God intended since the garden. We were created to be in relationship with God, this is the only reason we were given life. It's as easy as that. Because of this, everything that follows is how we live into that relationship. It is how we should raise our families. It is how we should work our jobs. It is how we should pay our taxes.

Yes, a 95% tax is onerous. It is excessive and outrageous. But don't let anyone tell you that American taxes are this high, or that anyone is proposing a tax that high. Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.