Taxes & Cookies
Read Time / 2 Minutes
Theme / Faith & Finance
When I think about taxes, I’m reminded of my love for cookies. Don’t see the connection? Hear me out. My mom tells this story of toddler Ryan being upset he wasn’t allowed to eat cookies for breakfast. A totally reasonable request from an upstanding toddler.
Since I was a child, being told, “Ryan, you can’t do _______” or “Ryan, you have to _______” are challenging statements to respond to well. It’s like taxes. You may be surprised to hear this, but some Americans pay taxes begrudgingly. Hard to believe? I know. Why aren’t we circling the tax deadline with hearts in our fridge calendars? Our nation may lose sleep prior to the mid April and mid October deadlines, but it’s surely not from a giddy anticipation.
Is it possible to have a different, maybe healthier, perspective of taxes? The founder of the largest Christian Financial Advisor network — Kingdom Advisors — believes so. Ron Blue declares, “Paying income taxes recognizes God’s provision and honors authority.”
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Romans 13:1-7
I was quick to complain about the authority my parents exercised over me.
“When I have kids, I’m going to let them eat cookies for breakfast,” I would pout.
I thought I knew how to be a better parent. My sulking often kept me from appreciating the blessing of having both, a mother and father, who were present and loving in my life.
In the United States of America, owing income tax means we’ve produced an income. If we owe higher than average taxes, that means we made more than average money. Those are great challenges to navigate through. Let us consider how we may practice rejoicing and glorifying God, our provider, while we “give to Cesar’s what’s Caesar. (Mark 12:17)”
Ryan De Amicis
Wealth Advisor
408.758.6413
ryan@christianwm.com
