Should we pay taxes?

The Pharisees were very unhappy that Jesus had dared to drive traders from the Temple area while allowing children to shout praises to Him as He healed the blind and lame.

So the Pharisees tried to think of a way to trap Jesus by getting Him to say something against the Romans, who ruled Judah. If He did, they would be able to accuse Him of something for which the Romans could punish Him. They came up with a plan and asked Jesus, “Is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor or not?”

Jesus asked them to show Him a coin used for paying taxes and said, “Whose name and face is on the coin?”

“The Roman Emperor’s,” they answered.

“Well then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and to God what belongs to God.”

What are taxes?

There are many things that a government—the people in charge of a country—must do for its citizens, like building roads, hospitals, and schools, and making sure that people obey the law. The government needs money to do all these things, and one way of raising money is by getting everyone to pay a portion of what they earn. The money people pay is called tax.

Paying tax out of your hard-earned money is no fun, and some people try all sorts of ways to avoid paying what they should. But Jesus made it clear that paying taxes to those in authority is the right thing to do.

Be a person of honor by giving each person what you owe them—whether it’s showing respect at home and at school or paying taxes when you become an adult.

Verse for today

Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:7

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