Yesterday was tax day. For most people this is a dreaded day in terms of paying taxes. Every single day we hear about what is happening in our economy and the government’s role in that situation.  No one enjoys paying taxes. There are so many areas in which the money could be more efficiently managed and greater value could be achieved. That is one of the necessary evils of government bureaucracy.  Americans traditionally have approached the tax issue with a negative attitude.  There is a prevailing opinion that while people are bound to pay their taxes, they believe they have very little input into the direction of their government.

The Bible says that we are to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. We have the responsibility to pay our taxes and that is easier to do when we realize that all we have belongs to God.  When we pray for and support our government, even when we are in disagreement, we are following the principles of scripture. In the same verse, the Lord says we are to give unto the Lord what belongs to Him. The truth is all of it belongs to Him and this is a place where there should be no hint of dread, compulsion or pressure. God has saved us through the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ. He has given His all for us. It is a privilege and an honor to give back to Him that which already belongs to Him.

In difficult times, our giving is even more important.  Not just for the ministries we support, but to serve as a daily reminder that we are dependent on Him. If you are missing this opportunity, then you are missing a key component of the Christian life and you can never know the real joy of the Lord.

This past Sunday as we watched the cardboard testimonies walk across the platform, you were able to see the results of your giving. We may be involved in a lot of things financially but there is no expenditure that we can make that will be more productive than the financial resources that we bring to the house of the Lord. When I look at the lives that are changed,  I am continually reminded of the privilege that I have to make that investment with my money. Because it is a privilege for which we should be grateful, it must also be a priority.  We may dread paying our taxes, but when we give to the Lord we should do it with a sense of expectation, excitement and total dependence.