Let Love Lead
… In Our Money – Part V

Scripture Reading: Romans 13:1-10

Key Verse: Romans 13:7
Give to everyone what you owe them: 1f you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

I hope you have read today’s Scripture Reading. It gives instructions on how God’s people should live their lives.

If you are a true Christ-follower then these instructions matter to you.

The first few verses do not deal with money but with how we should treat those who govern over us. This is not easy for any Christ-follower when they are not pleased with what elected government officials are doing.

Please remember, we can work to get our favorite party or candidates elected or to change tax structures or policies.

But the scripture is clear. God commands us to give respect to the authorities in place whether or not we like them and their policies. Unwholesome and disrespectful comments toward these authorities are not proper for Christ-followers.

But the central verses of this passage are the instructions concerning our money.

First, God tells us to pay our tax obligations… all of them. If you feel that tax policies are unfair, then work to change them but don’t simply cheat on what you owe.

One of the things that has always amazed me is when people tell me that they get paid in cash, so they do not have to pay taxes on that money. This has not surprised me when these conversations are with those outside the church. Unfortunately, sometimes these conversations are with those inside the church. When anyone takes money “under the table” they are cheaters and God is watching!

Our Key Verse starts out with a general statement: “Give to everyone what you owe them…”.

Have you ever had someone tell you that you owe them more than you feel that you do? I certainly have, both in church business and my own personal business. It is not wrong to talk to them about it and see if they would reason with you about the amount.

However, if they will not budge, I pay what they ask rather than have them believe that I am a person who will not give people what I owe. It is better to pay and not deal with them again than to engage in long arguments over a bill. I am confident that this is a biblical principle based on our Key Verse for today.

This is especially important when you are concerned about your witness for Christ. I hope you are concerned about that. Even if you feel you do not owe them, but they think you do, consider taking the generous route and pay them. I am convinced God rewards us for these decisions!

Father, remind me to be one who always pays what I owe. On questionable debts, help me to make the generous decision. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.