June 6
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Romans 13:6
I for one, am always relieved when it’s over, but isn’t it the truth that when it nears April 15th the litany begins? It is tax time and it seems most of us feel a bit put upon to say the least, and the complaints start. Our paychecks appear to be dwindling with one obligation or another, pay cuts, then this. In reality, there’s no surprise! Taxes are due every year at the same time! Still, we question: why must we pay taxes anyway; where is the money going; where is the money coming from if we need to pay more than we already have, and on and on it goes. On top of this, open any newspaper, put on the television or radio and what do we hear? One misconduct after another involving our political leaders. Not all of them mind you, but enough that we pass judgment on all, leaving us feeling distrustful of our governing men and women. We overlook the fact that for all those performing misdeeds, there are countless others who have devoted their lives to the service of their constituents; men and women who have sacrificed their time and often their family life to promote the well-being of the citizens of this Country.
We are reminded in this passage that not only is it our duty to pay our taxes, but also that our politicians are God’s servants, chosen to do the work they do. He uses us to bring about change for the good, by keeping informed and fulfilling our responsibility to vote carefully, for those individuals to be placed in office. As in all things, when we pray for God’s guidance before we perform our civic duty, we can be reassured that our decisions will more likely reflect those that benefit all. Our hope and prayer is that our public servants will protect the rights of every individual in every state of life and in every community; and we pray that they fully understand that they are God’s servants first.
Guide your servants God, that we may do your will.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Romans 13:6
I for one, am always relieved when it’s over, but isn’t it the truth that when it nears April 15th the litany begins? It is tax time and it seems most of us feel a bit put upon to say the least, and the complaints start. Our paychecks appear to be dwindling with one obligation or another, pay cuts, then this. In reality, there’s no surprise! Taxes are due every year at the same time! Still, we question: why must we pay taxes anyway; where is the money going; where is the money coming from if we need to pay more than we already have, and on and on it goes. On top of this, open any newspaper, put on the television or radio and what do we hear? One misconduct after another involving our political leaders. Not all of them mind you, but enough that we pass judgment on all, leaving us feeling distrustful of our governing men and women. We overlook the fact that for all those performing misdeeds, there are countless others who have devoted their lives to the service of their constituents; men and women who have sacrificed their time and often their family life to promote the well-being of the citizens of this Country.
We are reminded in this passage that not only is it our duty to pay our taxes, but also that our politicians are God’s servants, chosen to do the work they do. He uses us to bring about change for the good, by keeping informed and fulfilling our responsibility to vote carefully, for those individuals to be placed in office. As in all things, when we pray for God’s guidance before we perform our civic duty, we can be reassured that our decisions will more likely reflect those that benefit all. Our hope and prayer is that our public servants will protect the rights of every individual in every state of life and in every community; and we pray that they fully understand that they are God’s servants first.
Guide your servants God, that we may do your will.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson