Today is Tax Freedom Day.

As the saying goes there are only two certainties in life—death and taxes. Taxes, the special fees collected by governments and rules, have been around since Bible times. And the idea of paying taxes probably has been hated just as long.

The first tax mentioned in the Old Testament was a census tax commanded to be paid by Moses for every person 20 years and older to be used for the care of the Tabernacle. Later, when the Israelites demanded to be ruled by kings, the kings (as the prophet Samuel had warned!) began to tax the people to help pay for buildings, armies, and other government projects. Then, as invading countries conquered the Israelites, the foreign kings demanded even higher taxes.

When Jesus was born, the people were paying taxes to the despised Roman Empire. Their coins, which carried Caesar’s image, were a constant reminder that their hard-earned money was going to support Rome. Yet, when the Jewish leaders questioned Jesus about whether it was right for the Jews to pay taxes to Rome, Jesus reminded them that this was money due to Caesar. At the same time, however, Jesus told the people they needed to give to God what he was owed.

Think about that. What do you think you owe God right now? How about your faithfulness, your obedience, your love? What about your time and the abilities he has given to you? What might you owe God there? Just as we are expected and obligated to pay taxes to our governments, we need to “pay” God what is owed him as well. You can even take this a step further. What do you “owe” your parents, your teachers, your friends?

The Bible reminds us that we are to give to everyone what we “owe” him or her, whether it’s respect, time, or our money.

Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due. (Romans 13:7)

To Do

Make a pretend bill of what you owe God today. Consider how you can “pay up.”

Also on this day. . .

1802—Washington, D.C., was incorporated as a city.

1921—West Virginia imposed the first state sales tax.

1966—The game “Twister” was featured on the “Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.