On the Hook

When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the double-drachma tax approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your Teacher pay the double-drachma tax?”

“Yes,” he said.

When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, “What do you think, Simon? Who do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes from? From their sons or strangers?

“From strangers,” he said.

“Then the sons are free,” Jesus told him, “But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and catch the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for Me and you.” – Matthew 17:24-27

On the face of it Christians would appear to be the worst possible choice as revolutionaries. We respect authority and try to see God’s hand in all that comes to us. We reject the idea of secondary causes, seeing all as from the Lord by whatever means. We are more concerned about heaven, about truth and reality than we are about the things of earth. Ruthlessness runs counter to our creed and our new nature. Though we accept the righteous necessity of self-defense, we regard killing and bloodshed as an extreme measure of last resort. No Christian is a terrorist. No Christian would shed the blood of innocents for political gain.

Christianity is, however, the most revolutionary, world-altering belief ever embraced by man. It brings transformation to nations – not with empty rhetoric and programs built on extorted funds – but by transforming individuals, who are, after all, the building blocks of nations. Despite what historical revisionists may say, everywhere the Gospel has gone, it has made things better.

We have come to April 15 – the most infamous day on the American calendar: Tax Day. This year there will be protesters in every city around the country, with additional gatherings and demonstrations on the weekend, as a great many actual taxpayers have to work today. I don’t know if this is really the first signs of life in a new movement or the last gasp of a dying system. I do know that income tax is an ugly levy that is easily used to punish and control. There probably isn’t a worse way for government to confiscate funds, though property tax is within hailing distance. Both property and income taxes are attempts to distribute the burden of taxation onto those who can best afford it. The more money you make and the more property you own, the more tax you pay. Doesn’t that seem fair?

Well – No. What seems fair in the free market is that one pays for what one gets. Does Wal-Mart charge me more for a can of coffee than they charge my lower income neighbor? So, ask yourself what services you get from the government. If someone has six kids in school, shouldn’t their share of school funding be higher than the person who has one or none? That seems fair to me. It is how private schools work. Now I understand that the benefits of an educated population are numerous, and public systems of education have paid many dividends in America’s past. Though I no longer have children in school, I would be willing to support a local public school system if I did not have to pay more than my neighbors simply because I was able to build a larger house or drive a newer car, or, even worse, because I own a business or income-producing property.

The double-drachma tax that Peter and Jesus discussed was not a civil tax. It was the temple tax paid by every Jewish male to support and maintain the temple property and functions. This is why Jesus asked the question regarding sons. As the Son of God, the Lord would be exempt from paying for the support of His own temple. The good thing about the temple tax was that it was perfectly fair. It did not matter if one were rich or poor. Everybody understood that they benefited equally from God’s presence and blessings bestowed by way of the priesthood, the temple and the ministry conducted there. Thus the price was the same for everyone. If a wealthier man wanted to pay the tax for his poorer brother, I doubt that anyone stopped him, but certainly no one coerced him.

Though the Lord should have been free of the tax, Jesus teaches us that it is often better to go along with a system even when it is unfair. We can afford to pay better than we can afford to offend in many cases. Our concern is not primarily for the benefits we gain in this world, but rather for the delivering of our brothers and sisters from bondage. As I said before, by the world’s standards, we are lousy revolutionaries. We are just too compliant and resilient. We don’t put our trust in state solutions, nor do we rely primarily on the arm of flesh to deliver us from evil.

This is not to say that if some fool kicks your door in and threatens your life or the lives of others that you should refrain from offing him. I figure in that case the Lord has called me to put him out of his misery, and I will make my calling and election sure by filling him so full of lead he’ll need two extra pallbearers. But I digress.

Peace and stability and good will are good things to be cultivated and nurtured. To the extent that we must balance liberty with those aspects of our societal existence, we, especially Christians, should do so. We don’t want to see our brothers and sisters – not even the stupid ones – suffer unnecessarily. Demonstrate, protest, call and write Congress-critters, ridicule journalists, but, as Paul says: If possible on your part, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).

Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks. Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law (Romans 13:5-8).