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Mike Winther talks about what the bible says about taxes in a recorded interview from Truths That Transform Radio. Does “Render Unto Caesar” mean that the government can take it all?
He dives into why we don’t have to pay everything, just what we are required to pay. The discussion also revolves around common misconceptions of this line to think that Christians don’t have to pay anything.
Mike talks about the effect of relativism on our society. We know there are limits on taxes, because we need to support our families and tithe. God gives us commands and guidelines, so we don’t wallow in uncertainty. This episode brings taxes from a biblical perspective to the forefront of the discussion.
You’ll Learn:
- [01:32] Are we obligated to give the government whatever it asks us for?
- [01:52] The passage doesn’t say that we should render unto Caesar everything that he asks.
- [02:25] We know we should render something, but it doesn’t have to be everything.
- [02:44] Some Christians have also misinterpreted that line to think that they don’t have to pay any taxes, because they belong to God not Caesar.
- [02:56] Romans 13. There is a legitimate role for us to support the civil magistrate.
- [03:12] How relativism has affected every way of life.
- [04:32] There are biblical principles that define the level of taxation we should have.
- [05:09] We discuss the question of whether it’s possible for the government to steal.
- [05:37] The god ordained institutions include the family, the church, and civil government.
- [06:00] Scripture is clear about our obligations to each role of government.
- [07:43] 10% or the tithe should be the key guideline in taxation. We worship God in many ways including tithing and giving.
- [08:15] For the State to ask more than God demands is putting us in a position of idolatry.
- [08:32] Our founding fathers knew that a nation should never have more than a 9% tax rate.
- [09:26] We need to go back to square one and elect leaders who follow a Godly path.
- [11:17] We discuss whether the graduated income tax is fair. Karl Marx laid out the necessity of a graduated income tax system.
- [12:50] What are we going to tax? Consumption or production? A tax on income is a production tax.
- [13:41] The biblical principle would be to tax consumption not production.
- [15:11] We need to become obedient. As Christians, we haven’t been taught or learned the biblical principles.
- [15:29] We need to learn what God’s principles are for proper government.
- [16:50] Churches have a right and a responsibility to speak out and tell the government what their proper role is.