(Rom 13:5-7) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. (6) For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (7) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
A funny thing happened last night while in Church History class and I thought that it was worth “blogging” about. The Pastor brought up an interesting question. He asked us to think about what would happen if “The Church” lost its tax-exempt status.
The funny thing was not the question. The question was well asked and worth pondering. It was the response of the class that I found most amusing. There was a literal hush that came over this group of 25-30 students. It was as if the Pastor had mentioned that someone was caught in an adulterous relationship within the body of Christ. I looked around briefly to see people shaking their heads in fear of such a thought and something just popped out of my mouth: “I don’t think we should be tax exempt.” That comment seemed to catch the Pastor’s attention as he asked me to repeat it, but then did not comment. Perhaps he thought my statement to be foolish, or perhaps he didn’t want to get into a long debate. After all it was Church History class, not Church Administration.
So let me ask this to any and all who read this “Blog: What IF we lost our tax-exempt status? What do you think the Apostle Paul would have thought about the issue? Do you think he would have cared to pay any attention to the matter at all?
Think about it! We have the ACLU breathing down our necks at every moment. They would have no right to if we paid taxes. What would be the problem?
1. Pastors would have to cut their salaries down. God forbid any of them have to work for a living. Hey don’t get me wrong; to draw a salary as a Pastor would be a nice thing and I in no way shape or form think it is wrong. But how many would be willing to Pastor if their salaries were cut or were non-existent? It just might separate the wheat from the tares.
2. The Church would be forced to step up their giving. For all of you covetous preachers out there: this would give you more of an opportunity to preach the tithe!
3. This might kill the Mega-Church. Churches that run more like a business but with tax-exempt benefits might soon find out that “The Church” SHOULD NOT be run like a business.
4. We’d trim off the fat. (And this coming from a hefty man!) Seriously, we’d be forced to make wiser decisions with the money God has entrusted us with. We could no longer spend money on dances, social engagements, the latest high-tech equipment, or coffee shops within the church building. So sad, too bad.
So what do you think? Am I way off base? Please feel free to let me know what you think. Feel free to correct if you feel I need it. Just be nice. Honestly, I think Christians spend way too much money on covetousness than they do on evangelism. Just a thought…
The Grace of our Lord be with you all…
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11 comments:
I will disagree with your statement you said in class. I do think the church should be tax exempt.
I think the church administration should be able to use the money it receives to be used for the church's purpose. At the same time, I can't disagree with you that there are some churches, and perhaps even some areas in every church where the money should be spent better.
But, I don't think we should suggest taking away a good thing because of some misuse of it.
At the same time, if it were taken away... so be it. We adjust. God has enough money to cover the taxes as well. But, I'm glad that we have the benefit.
Andy,
Yes, perhaps I should have addressed this which was the reason for my blog in the first place actually. The question is not will we love tax-exempt status but rather when. You say we will adjust. Really? I would be willing to stand up and say that there are a number of churches that would not be able to adjust. I also do not think that we should give up that which we already have. But I do believe having it compromises us, and therefore we should consider the age which we live in and the likelihood that we will lose it. Lord willing, I will start a work upon graduating. I believe it will be in my best interest to take advantage of any and all that the govt. gives, but I will not let it compromise me and will do my best to prepare a church body that does not rely on that status. Thanks for commenting. God bless!
Hey Seth, If you use "just a thought" as a tag line on your post, I think your gonna have to link it to Andy's blog ; )
Jesus did indeed say, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s;” but that’s only half the verse! Jesus went on to say, “and to God the things that are God’s.” The obvious question to be asked is at what time did Jesus place His church under the authority and jurisdiction of Caesar (the State)?
Mark 12:17 Fllowing logic, the converse is true. We can properly interpret Jesus’ teaching in this way, “Don’t render to Caesar the things that don't belong Caesar.”
Steve Nestor, retired IRS Sr. Revenue Officer is quoted: "In Caesar's Grip":
"I am not the only IRS employee who’s wondered why churches go to the government and seek permission to be exempted from a tax they didn’t owe to begin with, and to seek a tax deductible status that they’ve always had anyway. Many of us have marveled at how church leaders want to be regulated and controlled by an agency of government that most Americans have prayed would just get out of their lives. Churches are in an amazingly unique position, but they don’t seem to know or appreciate the implications of what it would mean to be free of government control."
Yeah, I agree completely with Shannon. You can't use "Just a thought..." anymore without linking to my blog .
Oh, and I think Toma brings up a good point, but I like Shannon's better.
It's just good etiquette
Toma,
I'm not quite sure what EXACTLY you're getting at. Do you think we should or should not pay taxes? Do you feel that the church does not have a responsibility to pay taxes? Do you know that Jesus paid tribute $? The quote you gave seemed to back up my thought, so I'm a bit confused. Or maybe I'm misunderstanding the quote. Thanks for commenting...I appreciate it.
The money that the chruch uses, is indeed the money that we have given to God for his purposes. We have not given it to man. We as Americans pay our taxes to the American government to provide the things like infrastructure, social programs, and protection, etc. That is our responsibiblity to Ceasar, while the money we give to God is spent through the church, to do the works that God has entrusted us with here on earth under the ordanined governments by his plan. The church should not be taxed on the money that has already been taxed the first time it was earned through our income tax (which is another ball of wax).
The quote speaks to chruches, who voluntarily place themselves under the scrutiny of the government. It is my understanding that employees of the church pay their own income taxes, but the church, is not a taxable entity because it is non-profit, it is only a distributor of the charity of it's members. My opening statement is that the money the church brings in is not taxable because it is a gift to God and not the chruch's gain.
That is my meager attemtp to get at what I was getting to.
Hey, Toma, the money we give to church is not taxed... Deductions
I don't disagree with you, but I just wanted to point that out.
True and not true Andy. It really depends on if you're a home-owner or if you give over a certain amount. Before Wendy and I owned a house we were not allowed to deduct anything even when we gave certain thousands...because it did not exceed their required minimum. After we purchased a house, they would take any giving as a deduction. Now that we're back to renting, we will lose that privilege. So yes, I pay taxes on my tithe.
Just as Seth commented, my thoughts are simmilar in regard to deductions on charitable giving. The money that is given to God is taxed, we must take the deduction to get the tax portion back. It is encouraging that men like Seth and other Christans are not driven to give (to God) based on what the government can do, in the form of deductions, rather out of love of God and sacrifice to his commission. While at the same time it is good stewardship to take the deductions if you can.
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