Death and Taxes
Introduction
I’m Pete. God loves you!
The topics today: Death and Taxes
First, Taxes
It is said there are two things that are certain in life: Death, and taxes.
In general, Christians are supposed to pay taxes. There is also some amount of requirement to pay taxes even when we are not in total agreement with how things are being governed. Here are some of the supporting Bible verses:
Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority, for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing. Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:1-7
While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.”
They were exceedingly sorry.
When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?” He said, “Yes.”
When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”
Peter said to him, “From strangers.”
Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt. But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.” Matthew 17:22-27
Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk. They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach, for you aren’t partial to anyone. Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? Show me the tax money.”
They brought to him a denarius.
He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”
They said to him, “Caesar’s.”
Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
When they heard it, they marveled, and left him, and went away. Matthew 22:15-22
Death
Death is totally certain. The death process began when the first humans sinned. Unless Jesus returns before you die, unless you are saved through His death and resurrection, your body will die. This is even more certain than taxes. I am retired from my secular job. My income is so low that, when I go to a major tax service, they tell me I do not need to pay taxes. But death, again, is totally certain:
Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation. Hebrews 9:27-28
When I was young it seemed to me I would live forever. It took growing old myself, and seeing elderly and others fail and die around me, for me to wake up to the certainty of death and the need to make the most of my time. Time has flown by. Death is inevitable.
Be Prepared
Get right with God while you still can. Don’t put it off till you discover you’ve died and are facing judgment. Don’t harden your heart. Remember my introduction? God loves you! The way to salvation is repentance toward God, and faith in Jesus to pay for your sins. God sent Jesus for you. Jesus took the death penalty for your sins. To face judgment for your sins is senseless when you can be saved. Get saved! May God Bless You!