Paul Makes A Case For Paying Taxes: Romans 13:6-7
“6) For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7) Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:6-7
It is amazing the kind of things the Bible talks about. In this text it recognizes a place for government to collect taxes. Even in the Old Testament under Moses every male was taxed annually.
Government needs a way to pay for some services like national defense and infrastructure. Apart from taxes, government would be competing with the private sector in the manufacture and sale of goods and services as a revenue stream. That would be an unfair advantage.
However, I believe government should remain as small and stream lined as possible. Every time government takes over a new public service it costs more and is less efficient. That’s as far as I dare go with this discussion and still keep it within the framework of Romans 13:6-7.
As a Christian, I have no problem paying taxes so long as they are minimal, justified and used with properly accountability. As a State Representative. I always look for ways to cut taxes and streamline government. I believe freedom and small government are directly related to each other.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
