Giving to Caesar . . .

Giving to Caesar . . .

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 13:7 NIV

Today is Tax Day 2026. Let’s be honest. Who among us likes to pay taxes? I don’t see many hands up out there! Here in Romans 13, the apostle Paul was dealing with actual responses to what governments demand. You may not like to hear this, but Biblically, none of us has the right to withhold taxes even if the government doesn't use them the way we think it should. You don’t have to be an Einstein to know that governments are made up of imperfect men and women just like us. Only a fool would demand and/or expect that the government will always manage everything perfectly. Truth be told, Paul was writing to the Roman Christians, who had the same problems we have about taxes. In a nutshell, Paul said, if you owe taxes, pay them.

His point was pretty clear . . . Don't resent the powers of government. In context, Romans 13:7 needs to be read with chapter 12, too. “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world) (Romans 12:2a). Don't act like everybody else when it comes to paying your taxes. The world grumbles and gripes and groans at paying taxes. You and I have a right, of course, as everyone does, to protest injustice and to correct abuse. There’s no question about that. But don't always be grumbling about the taxes that you have to pay.

Forgive me if I sound like I’m defending any gross injustice that might prevail in our American system. I, for one, am glad that we can meet for worship and we don't have to hide behind closed doors. I’m glad that we have relative freedom from attack when we walk down the street because the government God gives us protects us from chaos. I want to make every effort I can, as a good citizen, to improve it and see that it does things better.

So, let’s thank God for the privilege of paying our taxes. The apostle Paul wants us to have a different attitude than the world around us about this issue. We’re not supposed to attack the government and try to overthrow it because it doesn't act quite like we think it should. Rather, we’re to understand that God brought it into being, and He’ll change it if the hearts of the people of the land choose to change it. Somebody once said, “Every nation gets the government it deserves.” So, as we pay our taxes, let’s do so cheerfully, remembering that the apostle says that we shouldn’t only pay our taxes, but if we owe respect, we’re also to give that; if we owe someone honor, we should also give that. Let’s never forget that the worst of governments are, nevertheless, better than anarchy and chaos. Even the worst government serves certain functions which God Himself has ordained.

So, on this tax day, let’s respond as Christians, with cheerfulness and gladness for what we can do under God, and let’s do so with an attitude that tells others that there’s something different about us.

Thank you for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement. It’s not copyrighted so feel free to share it with someone who needs encouragement today. And, if you’re a regular attender of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, please consider reading Luke 24:13-35 to get yourself ready to hear God’s message this coming Sunday, April 19, as we worship the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.