When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”
Matthew 17:24-27 ESV
Jesus said that he wasn’t required to pay the tax but he did so anyway because failure to do so would have a harmful affect on others. We must always keep in mind the affect our actions have on others and the welfare of other people should be more important to us that the exercise of our rights.Matthew 17:24-27 ESV
Churches are normally exempt from paying property taxes and that saves them money. But what affect does this have on how others see Christians?
If someone resents the fact that churches are exempt from paying taxes this attitude will make him more resistant to anyone who tries to share the gospel with him. Is the money we save by these exemptions worth this? Besides this churches receive benefits from the government and we should be willing to pay our fair share of the taxes which pay for these benefits.
