Luke 21:25; Daniel 11:20; Matthew 22:17
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity…
Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes.
What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
A. W. PINK (1886-1952): “Distress” is now no longer confined to any one people but is international and earth-wide in its reach. The “distress” and suffering caused by the exorbitant cost of living when it is becoming more and more difficult to secure even the bare necessaries of life. The “distress” occasioned by increasing taxation and the accumulation of national debts which must prove intolerable burdens for future generations to bear.
H. A. IRONSIDE (1876-1951): We often hear it said that there is nothing more certain than death and taxes. Taxes seem to be quite certain.
EDWARD PAYSON (1783-1827): Our Saviour, when asked by the Jews whether it were right to pay tribute to Caesar, the Roman Emperor, replied, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,” Luke 20:25.
A. W. PINK: God requires us to render submission to human government: to be obedient to its laws, to pay the taxes it appoints, to cooperate in upholding its authority.
H. A. IRONSIDE: As they were about to scourge the apostle Paul, Acts 22:25, he stood on his right as a Roman citizen. I believe there is a lesson for us in that…Since it was right for Paul to claim Roman citizenship in order not to suffer scourging, then it was also incumbent on him to fulfill the responsibilities of that citizenship. And this is true of any citizen of any country in this world. In other words, if I am to have certain protection as a citizen, I owe it to my country to act accordingly when it comes to fulfilling my responsibilities—so, I am to be loyal to my government, pay my taxes…It would be unthinkable that one would be entitled to claim protection from a country if he did not loyally respond to the rightful demands of its government.
EDWARD PAYSON: The justice, and propriety of these commands, is obvious. There is an implied contract, or agreement between a government and its subjects, by which the subjects engage to give a portion of their property in exchange for the blessings of protection, security, and social order. So long as they enjoy these blessings, they receive a valuable consideration for the sums which they contribute for the taxes which they pay for the support of government.
H. A. IRONSIDE: They were willing to use Caesar’s money; they were ready to profit thereby. Then they should pay such taxes to Caesar as he demanded.
A. W. PINK: Evasion in paying taxes is another form of theft.
JOHN ANGELL JAMES (1785-1869): The general principles of reason would be quite sufficient to prove its criminality. But the New Testament has added the authority of revelation to the dictates of reason; and thus made it a sin against God, no less than a crime against society, to defraud the revenue. “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom,” is the authoritative language of Paul, Romans 13:7. This precept derives great force from the consideration that it was delivered at a time, and under a government, in which the taxes were not imposed by the people themselves—but by the arbitrary power of a despot, the Emperor Nero. Certainly if, under those circumstances, it was the duty of a Christian to pay the tribute money, any effort which we make to evade it, must be additionally criminal, since we are taxed by the will of our representatives.
CHARLES SIMEON (1759-1836): It is true, we feel the pressure of the taxes as a burden…But all the functions of government also must of necessity be attended with expense, which the public of course must support. Hence there must be taxes of different kinds, some stated, as “tribute,” and some occasional, as “custom,” upon articles of commerce.
JOHN GILL (1697-1771): “Tribute and custom,” These two words include all sorts of levies, taxes, subsidies.
EDWARD PAYSON: It is also evident, that the man who possesses a large share of wealth, derives greater advantages from the laws of the land, and from the protection afforded by civil authority, than the man who possesses little or nothing. Or, to place the subject in a little different light—civil governments insure to their subjects the protection of their rights and property from injustice and violence; of course, they have a right to demand a premium for this insurance. This premium ought to be greater or less, in proportion to the property thus insured; in other words, every man is bound in justice to contribute to the support of law and government, in proportion to his property.
D. L. MOODY (1837-1899): You would have found, probably, that Lot was reported to be the richest man in Sodom, and if they had to pay income tax, his would have been the highest.
EDWARD PAYSON: The man who by artifice or deceit avoids contributing in proportion to his property, is guilty of injustice and dishonesty. He not only defrauds the government, but does in effect defraud his fellow citizens; for if he contributes less than his proportion, others must contribute more to make up the deficiency.
THOMAS COKE (1747-1814): Most men are more concerned how to save their money than their souls.
C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): Waste is a worse tax than the income tax.
EDWARD PAYSON: It is vain to plead, as an excuse for these things, that government may waste, or misemploy the sums, which are put into their hands. Permit me, before I dismiss this part of my subject, to express a hope, that no one will endeavour to give these remarks a political bearing.
JOHN ANGELL JAMES: The excuses usually made in justification of this practice, only serve to show how far even some good people may be imposed upon by the deceitfulness of the human heart. Every time we have made a false return on the schedule which regulates our measure of taxation; or that we have purchased knowingly a contraband article of food, beverage, or dress—we have violated the precepts of the New Testament, have brought the guilt of a complicated crime upon our conscience, and have subjected ourselves to the displeasure of God.
A. W. PINK: Christians especially should set an example as law-abiding citizens, rendering to Caesar that which he has a right to demand from his subjects. They are Divinely enjoined to “render tribute to whom tribute is due,” and thus to pay their taxes promptly and unmurmuringly.
JOHN GILL: Payment of taxes is not a mere matter of prudence, and done to avoid dangerous consequences, but it is, and ought to be, a case of conscience. “They are God’s ministers,” Romans 13:1-4. This is another reason why tribute should be paid them, not only to testify subjection to them, and keep conscience clear, but because they are called unto, and put into this high office by God; for promotion to such honour and high places comes not from east, west, north, or south; but is by the providence of God, who puts down, and sets up at pleasure; they are His vicegerents, they act under Him, are in His stead, and represent His majesty; and therefore, in some sort, what is done to them is done to Him.
