Tax Freedom Day? Come On, Man!
I don’t write about politics here, and I’m not starting now. But I will talk about Jesus and freedom and selfishness from time to time. I’m told that Tuesday is Tax Freedom Day . . . because 31% of the year has passed, which is the percentage of our national income that goes to pay taxes of one kind or another. It takes 114 days, from January 1st to April 24th to be done with taxes and get around to ourselves.
I’ve never looked at taxes that way. I live in arguably the greatest country ever . . . a country that lets me choose what to do, work wherever I want, quit when I get ready, and move around without restriction. I want to pay the exact amount of taxes I owe . . . not more, not less, but I chose from an early age to look at paying taxes as a means to an end. It’s like buying a ticket to Six Flags. Sure, it’s expensive, but look at all the things I get to do once I’m in!
We don’t get to choose not to pay taxes. But we do get to choose the attitude with which we pay them. I’m suggesting an attitude of gratitude instead of one of obligation. After all, it is “in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)
Scripture: And now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.” Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him. Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household. (Deuteronomy 26:10-15)
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Responses (1)
Regi,
I have no problem paying taxes but I do have a big problem with the way our elected officials at the local, state and federal level spend our tax dollars. The excessive amount of fraud, waste and abuse on the spending side causes each of us to have to pay more taxes than should be required to provide government services. Every bill they pass contains a level of “pork” that doubles or triples the cost to taxpayers!