Do Christians Have to Pay Taxes?

Recently, a well-known Creation scientist was sentenced to ten years in jail for several counts of tax evasion. His defense for his crimes was that he was under the understanding that he did not need to pay taxes on his income because the people whom he employed did so on a volunteer basis. This situation has opened Christianity up for attacks from people who make it an excuse to attack not only creationism, but also the Christian faith.

Christians must pay their taxes as the government requires. Ignorance cannot ever be used as a legitimate excuse for breaking the law. In Mark chapter twelve the Pharisees seek to trap Jesus by pitting Him against the Roman Emperor, Caesar. They ask Him, "Is it lawful to give tribute (taxes) to Caesar, or not?" At first this seems like an innocent question, but we must keep in mind that the Jews hated the Roman oppression that came with Caesar's rule, and if Jesus had said "Yes" the religious leaders would have been able to turn the Jewish people against Jesus. However, if Jesus would have said "No", the Pharisees could have reported Him to the Roman government as an insurrectionist.

Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, requested a coin and asked the people whose picture was inscribed on it. One of them replied, "Caesar's". Jesus said, "Render to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

What does God expect from us? Our hearts, our obedience and our loyalty. What does the government expect from us? To keep the laws and pay our taxes. Jesus clearly teaches in this passage that Christians must pay their taxes. The government is an institution of God and He has given it the authority to require certain things of its citizens. Romans chapter thirteen gives us the purpose of government, along with each citizen's obligations. It says that every person must obey the "higher powers" because their authority was given to them by God. Scripture even goes so far as to say that rulers (mayors, governors, presidents, etc.) are the "ministers of God". In return for our obedience to the government, the government bears the responsibility of restraining and punishing unlawful people, while celebrating and rewarding the lawful.

Christians who heed Scripture will pay their taxes and obey the government faithfully. The Bible requires this obedience by Christians as long as the laws do not require or forbid something that goes expressly against the commands of God. Ignorance of the law cannot be claimed by those whose responsibility it is to understand and carry out the laws of the land.