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"This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor" (Romans 13:7). "But our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20).

Over the next several weeks many of us in the USA prepare for a day we often call "tax day". Early this week I spent several hours finalizing the material I sent to our tax preparer for our income tax returns. We pay estimated income taxes all through the year and sales taxes practically daily. In our case we also have several rather large property taxes throughout the year. Taxes are a reminder that we live in this "present world" (see 2 Timothy 4:10 for this phrase in Scripture).

To use a Biblical phrase, everyone must do their rendering unto Caesar (see Matthew 22:21). Paul's instruction to the Romans in our daily text is among the harder verses of the Bible. Not because it's hard to interpret, but rather hard (for me anyway) to joyfully obey! Some have gone so far as to assert that Paul is not speaking of civil authorities here, but the church, which hardly fits the broader context.

It's often been said that there are two universals: death and taxes. Today I consider regardless of where we live our commonality in Christ and our commonality in paying taxes. Many of our US residents already filed their tax return but I tend to procrastinate, although I am usually not like those who will make the trip to the Post Office late tax day evening (as I recall I did once when we lived in New England).

Hard though it may be, let's take a look at our daily text and consider it an act of obedience! But can you really do it joyfully?

We've read stories of gross government waste such as funding perversions, evil organizations like Planned Parenthood, pornographic "art" and scores of other outrageous programs. The first daily verse is not one that I've intentionally memorized or found comfort in. But it is part of the whole counsel of God and our submission to God calls us to obedience, in spite of funding that most of us would say is deeply objectionable.

After all, governments - particularly as they "progress", have never been known for the prudent use of the money they extract from their citizenry. Taxes and tax collectors have always been unpopular. In Biblical times tax collectors were disdained and often associated with "sinners".

As God's children, our main call is to remember where our primary citizenship lies. Paul, a Roman citizen, plainly states, "But our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20). Today, we must remember this even as we pay our taxes.

Be encouraged today! Hebrews 3:13

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