Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Tax Time

Here it is well after 11 PM and I'm just getting to my blog. I've been doing our taxes for the past couple of hours; you know the drill. Gather up every form in the world, read through lines of gibberish and naively follow each and every prompt in the software. Finally, things come into focus and bam! We are getting a Federal refund. But wait, this year's refund is far less than last year's- why? After digging, I find a mistake and correct it. Hmmm, that's a little better. Then, something else is missing and the refund shrivels. Yet another calculation and we're back in great shape. This is tiring! I just want to ensure that we're getting to keep what is rightfully ours and we're able to pay what's rightfully the Government's.

That little phrase reminds me of Jesus and the Pharisees in the New Testament. He was so sharp! I love it when he shuts them down!

Matthew 22:15-22 (New International Version)


Paying Taxes to Caesar
15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 20and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

21"Caesar's," they replied.
Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

22When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

Good Night

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