Scripture… As We Live It #178
This is the 178th passage in “Scripture… As We Live It.”
(This passage was given to my by my friend Lew.)
And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this [coin]?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s after giving 10% to your local church, and churches organized as 501(c)(3) charitable organizations should pay nothing to Caesar.” (Matthew 22:20-21 re-mix)
(Please read the first post for an explanation of this series.)
Yep, “churches” need to be paying property taxes on their land and buildings based on value and taxes on the “income” money they take in just like everybody else.
Alan,
And Hutch. Careful! You will be excommunicated for such heretical doctrine!:)
Or, just as appropriate, “Render unto Caesar the things Caesar CLAIMS are Caesar’s, regardless of whether they actually ARE Caesar’s or not.”
This rendition of th scriptures describes our reality quite well. One thing I would add, however, is that it isn’t absolutely necessary for the “church” to pay taxes. Consider the backdrop in which Jesus was teaching. They were trying to trap him him by painting him as a zealot wanting to overthrow the Roman government.
Our system of government allows for “churches” to be exempt from taxes. This can be good; a blessing from God. The mandate from Jesus isn’t that we MUST pay taxes when they are not obligatory. His message is that what belongs to Caeser belongs to Caeser. But more importantly, what belongs to God, our heart, must be given to God.
If the government begins demanding that “churches” start paying taxes, then they must do so willingly and without malice. Until then, I say let’s enjoy this blessing.
Because I have a feeling it will soon change.
Marc S.
For clarification: The way I see it most “churches” are commiting fraud by claiming to be a 501 (c)(3)charitable organization as they do not operate as a 501 (c) (3)charitable organization. Since most do not operate as a charitable organization then they should lose their status as a 501c3 those that actually do operate as a charitable organization should be able to retain it, not many would actually qualify.
On paying taxes on the land and buildings, these organizations expect the same public services as other organizations and businesses who own property and pay taxes, such as police and fire protection etc. So they should pay taxes on their land and buildings, of course land and buildings are not churches, they are simply land and buildings.
Still love these Alan. I’ve not been by FOREVER. We had our son, Noah Daniel, on August 27. I now am beginning to know the heart of my Father in ways previously unknown. Life is just awesome.