Our Tax Dollars?

We tend to feel a sense of ownership over the taxes rendered to our government. They even tell us they're our tax dollars ( see "Accountability and Transparency"). Should that be the case?

Before considering our government in particular (because we are all pretty aware that it's not perfect), let's examine Biblical, universal principles.



When the Pharisees asked questions very similar to those asked by Americans today (specifically today), Christ gave a familiar but perhaps ignored answer: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's."

That means:

• Government was due taxes
• Citizens should pay taxes
  
• Taxes are not (il)legitimate based on the moral qualifications of the government/leader or their uses (because the Pharisees could have made a case against Caesar)
  
• There was not an amount or percentage specified as right or wrong
• Once the taxes were paid, they were the Government's, not the citizens', and therefore the government was responsible for what is done with them

If we, as citizens, adopt these principles into our thinking, there is little room left for questions and protests.

Does that mean:

• our government will be wise with its money? No government ever has perfectly.
• the bailouts/stimulus will work? Probably not, but that's their problem.
• we shouldn't care about what happens to us? No, but care and and protest/revolt are different things.
• God is in control even if government spending isn't? Yes.