Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals:
Friday May 1 2026
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Romans 13:6-7-For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Have you ever stopped and thought about the blessing of paying taxes?
I know: that sounds crazy.
But think about it.
Our taxes go to support and reimburse so many of the blessings and privileges that we enjoy as American citizens, blessings that we often take for granted.
The early Christians wrote about the blessings that they enjoyed as Roman citizens and looked at Paul’s words in that light.
Jesus was the One who originally commanded His followers to pay their taxes. The Pharisees tested Him by asking Him if it was lawful for a Jew to pay taxes to the Roman government. Jesus pointed to Caesar’s image on the coins used to pay Roman taxes and told them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mt. 22:21). Human governments provide an enormous number of services and benefits to their citizens—such as roads, public transportation, water supplies, postal service, and fire and police protection. Without these services, life would be much more difficult. How unfair it would be for Christians to enjoy these benefits but then refuse to pay for them. Chrysostom writes, “Observe the wisdom and judgment of the blessed Paul. For that which seemed to be burdensome and annoying—the system of taxation—he turns into a proof of the rulers’ care for men. He asks, ‘What is the reason we pay tribute to a king? Is it not because he provides for us? … It was for this reason that from of old all men came to an agreement that rulers should be maintained by the public. For these rulers neglect their own affairs to take oversight of the people.”20…Some Christians today argue that it is wrong to pay taxes because part of the tax revenue goes to support the military and war. However, the largest item in the Roman budget was waging wars and maintaining their military. Another large portion of the Roman budget went to building pagan temples, purchasing idols, and supporting pagan priests. So when Jesus commanded His followers to pay taxes to Caesar, and when Paul gave the command above, they both knew that much of this tax money would go to support war and pagan worship. As Jesus pointed out, it was Caesar who minted the money. It is his money; give him back whatever portion of his money he demands. How Caesar spends his money is not a Christian’s responsibility. (David Bercot, The Historic Faith Commentary Series – Romans: How Romans Was Understood Before Augustine and Luther, 496-498 (Kindle Edition): Amberson, PA: Scroll Publishing Company)
What a blessing to support the many blessings that we enjoy as Americans.
Lord, thank You for our country and the many good things that we enjoy. Guide America and bless her. Amen.