PTM WEEKLY UPDATE -- MARCH 31, 2008

Giving to Caesar and to God -- an ode to taxes and tithing

Last summer I got a nasty-gram from the Montana Department of Revenue telling me that I had 30 days to cough up $900, OR ELSE! I had to double check to be sure it hadn't been sent from the Gestapo.

"So Cindy," I said to the representative handling my account, "you're telling me that $600 of the $900 I owe are penalties because this alleged tax error is six years old? Doesn't that sound screwy to you? Why didn't you tell me about this six years ago and save me $600?"

"I don't know, Mr. Moyer, but you are responsible to pay it," Cindy replied nervously yet tersely over the phone.

"But why am I being penalized for something you didn't tell me?"

"I don't know that either. So, Mr. Moyer, how are you going to pay?"

A visit to my accountant thankfully revealed that Montana, not Mr. Moyer, was in error. He immediately sent a letter of clarification to the state and told me to forget about it. Relieved, I did just that. Two weeks later, Cindy called again strongly demanding immediate payment, insisting she never received our letter. Back to my accountant I went and he sent yet another letter. A week later a very abrupt Cindy was again on the phone. "NO Mr. Moyer, we have NOT received any letters from you. I must tell you this is becoming a VERY serious situation."

As painful as it can be, Jesus was saying that we need to pay our governmental taxes. If Cindy was right and I owed Montana $900, Jesus would say that I need to pay the $900. Bummer.

A couple days later my accountant hand delivered a third letter of clarification to Cindy's office. Yet the very next day, that's right, Cindy was on the phone angrily insisting they had no documentation from me. "Listen Cindy, this is becoming more distasteful than sweet and sour ham hocks," I said gritting my teeth. "I've mailed you two letters and had a third hand carried to your office by my accountant just yesterday. I can't believe that my taxes actually pay for you to hassle me like this. I want to talk to your Commandant."

With such a dysfunctional tax system, what should our attitude be regarding taxes? Remember the classic situation when some religious leaders tried to entrap Jesus by asking him a tricky tax question that even my accountant would have trouble with? "So tell us honestly," they asked Jesus, "is it right to pay taxes to Caesar (the government) or not?"

If Jesus said, "Yes," then the people would turn on him. They despised the occupying Roman government and their heavy-handed, often times back-handed tax demands. If Jesus said, "No," then the religious leaders could have him arrested by the Roman authorities for inciting rebellion against Caesar.

First, Jesus called them out for their shameful attempt to entrap him. They didn't care about the question; they wanted to get rid of Jesus. But then, Jesus shocked everyone by still answering the seemingly unanswerable question. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's," he replied, "and to God what is God's." He shrewdly avoided their trap, but what did he mean?

As painful as it can be, Jesus was saying that we need to pay our governmental taxes. If Cindy was right and I owed Montana $900, Jesus would say that I need to pay the $900. Bummer.

So what are we supposed to give to God? I was always taught that Jesus was talking about our tithe. However, there are at least two problems with that. First, the tithe is part of the Old Testament Law that Jesus abolished on the cross. Pastors, like me, don't say that very loud because we need to preach those guilt-laced tithing sermons from Malachi each year when we are presenting the church budget for the coming year. Second, it is ridiculous to think that ten percent of what we earn belongs to God and the rest belongs to us (after taxes). Scripture is clear that everything belongs to God. Not only does that mean our possessions, but even our ability to earn wealth -– not to mention spiritual gifts and blessings.

So if it isn't tithe that Jesus is referring to, what is it? I think he's talking about having a loving, giving attitude toward everything in life. (That's something that those who were asking him the tricky question severely lacked.). Love incorporates not only what we give and to whom, but also how we give it.

Applying this to the matter at hand, Jesus is saying that my obligation isn't to just pay my governmental taxes; it is to love Cindy as well -- even when she's harassing me in the government's name. The fact is, Cindy gets up and goes to work just like everyone else. She is as much a victim of the system as I am. I needed to try to put myself in her shoes. I need to pay my taxes and love my tax collector.

I was right in the middle of a lively discussion with Cindy's supervisor when she suddenly transferred back to Cindy who very briefly and matter-of-factly stated, "Mr. Moyer, your documentation is right here and your account is cleared up. You don't owe us anything. Good-bye."

"Wwwwwwwaait just a minute," I said, barely catching her before she hung up. "Cindy, there's no way you're that cold. After all you've put me through, can't you at least say 'I'm sorry?' I know it can’t be against office procedure to apologize."

"Mr. Moyer, I . . . I'm . . . I'm ssss . . . I'm sssssorry." Then, taking me by surprise, Cindy broke into tears. "This is a very difficult job. I really don't like being mean to people . . . I am so sorry."

"Thank you Cindy, I realize you were put in a very uncomfortable position with all this and I am sorry that you had to be the heavy. I appreciate your being honest with me. I accept your apology and if it would be okay I'd like to pray with you that you have a better day than you have so far?"

Cindy agreed and after a short prayer we both hung up at peace, not war, with one another. But it was only because of Jesus' wisdom that I was able to give to Montana what I owed Montana and to God what I owe God -- which was to love Cindy.

Glen Moyer

Glen Moyer (Clothman) is, among other things, pastor of High Point Adventures in Missoula, Montana

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