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Biblical Taxation

Tolkien R.R.J

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Letter to the editor

Letters: Measles sins of omission, Balint’s hypocrisy, and Biblical taxation - Vermont Daily Chronicle


Biblical law severely limits rulers’ power. Much of what the American government does today under the Constitution would not be within its jurisdiction were Biblical law applied. There would be no government debt, no foreign aid, and no intrusion on private property or individual rights. Unlike a Biblical king, who could not seize property (Ezekiel 46:18), the government can do so through eminent domain. There are no allowances in the Bible for licenses, regulations, subsidies, bailouts, the devaluing of money, government land ownership, or legislatures run by men adapting and creating laws. American politicians create tens of thousands of laws yearly, thousands of times more than God gave in total!

There would be no IRS, income tax, property tax or governmental welfare. Deuteronomy 14:22 outlines a 10% tax on agriculture, aimed only at the head of the household and not applying to women or children.

Without direct taxation, individuals could live self-sufficiently. And with a fixed tax rate, accumulating wealth would not be penalized. Additionally, unlike the numerous indirect taxes that raise costs for businesses and consumers in America, biblical taxation consists of just one single tax. Our income is taxed, and taxed again each time it changes hands. So, each time a dollar is spent, it is taxed in some way in America, while under Biblical law, the tax is given once.
 

Clare73

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Because their ruler was not intended to be human, but God.
Much of what the American government does today under the Constitution would not be within its jurisdiction were Biblical law applied.
Including no flushing toilets, sanitary running water, sewer systems, garbage pick-up, paved streets, traffic lights, etc., etc., etc.
 
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Tolkien R.R.J

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Because their ruler was not intended to be human, but God.

Including no flushing toilets, sanitary running water, sewer systems, garbage pick-up, paved streets, traffic lights, etc., etc., etc.

How so? If God says do not steal, that means you cannot do it.

He had sanitation practices in, so they are "legal" We just implement more efficient means of sanitation.

However, i do think cars and fast travel are of the devil.... no seriously.
 
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Jermayn

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Letter to the editor

Letters: Measles sins of omission, Balint’s hypocrisy, and Biblical taxation - Vermont Daily Chronicle


Biblical law severely limits rulers’ power. Much of what the American government does today under the Constitution would not be within its jurisdiction were Biblical law applied. There would be no government debt, no foreign aid, and no intrusion on private property or individual rights. Unlike a Biblical king, who could not seize property (Ezekiel 46:18), the government can do so through eminent domain. There are no allowances in the Bible for licenses, regulations, subsidies, bailouts, the devaluing of money, government land ownership, or legislatures run by men adapting and creating laws. American politicians create tens of thousands of laws yearly, thousands of times more than God gave in total!

There would be no IRS, income tax, property tax or governmental welfare. Deuteronomy 14:22 outlines a 10% tax on agriculture, aimed only at the head of the household and not applying to women or children.

Without direct taxation, individuals could live self-sufficiently. And with a fixed tax rate, accumulating wealth would not be penalized. Additionally, unlike the numerous indirect taxes that raise costs for businesses and consumers in America, biblical taxation consists of just one single tax. Our income is taxed, and taxed again each time it changes hands. So, each time a dollar is spent, it is taxed in some way in America, while under Biblical law, the tax is given once.
Israel was originally led directly by God, with guidance given through His prophets. When they asked for a king, God allowed it, though He made it clear this wasn’t His ideal (1 Samuel 8). It’s difficult to compare a modern republic to a theocracy or monarchy that functioned under direct divine authority.


Also, Jesus told the Jews, who were living under Roman occupation, to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matt. 22:21), showing that even under a secular and oppressive government, paying taxes wasn’t sinful.


This is definitely an interesting topic, but I don’t see Scripture endorsing one particular form of government over another. What it does emphasize is how we live under any government, with love, integrity, and devotion to God. As Jesus said, all the Law and the Prophets hang on two commands: love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
 
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Tolkien R.R.J

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Israel was originally led directly by God, with guidance given through His prophets. When they asked for a king, God allowed it, though He made it clear this wasn’t His ideal (1 Samuel 8). It’s difficult to compare a modern republic to a theocracy or monarchy that functioned under direct divine authority.


Also, Jesus told the Jews, who were living under Roman occupation, to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matt. 22:21), showing that even under a secular and oppressive government, paying taxes wasn’t sinful.


This is definitely an interesting topic, but I don’t see Scripture endorsing one particular form of government over another. What it does emphasize is how we live under any government, with love, integrity, and devotion to God. As Jesus said, all the Law and the Prophets hang on two commands: love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

I was not so much comparing the form of governance as I was the law, and governmental jurisdiction. Gods law/statues etc have remained the same.

Render under cease has taken on a new meaning by a Church subjugated by the modern secular state. I have an article coming out that addresses this so I will wait to comment.


I think it endorses two forms, a specific Christian republic, and kingship (as opposed to monarchy). But this is not so much the form as how the government operates. I would argue it does address how rulers (not just the ruled) are to act. But we never seem to ask them to behave only those under their unbiblical dictates!
 
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Joseph Perry

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I was not so much comparing the form of governance as I was the law, and governmental jurisdiction. Gods law/statues etc have remained the same.

Render under cease has taken on a new meaning by a Church subjugated by the modern secular state. I have an article coming out that addresses this so I will wait to comment.


I think it endorses two forms, a specific Christian republic, and kingship (as opposed to monarchy). But this is not so much the form as how the government operates. I would argue it does address how rulers (not just the ruled) are to act. But we never seem to ask them to behave only those under their unbiblical dictates!
This OT section of the Hebrew Bible gets interesting. "We want a king." "I gave you judges." "We want a king." It's a little like when they wanted a gold cow. King David was not a very good person. What Commandments didn't he break?
The only thing Jesus said about governments is we should obey them. One Nation under God?
 
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Tolkien R.R.J

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This OT section of the Hebrew Bible gets interesting. "We want a king." "I gave you judges." "We want a king." It's a little like when they wanted a gold cow. King David was not a very good person. What Commandments didn't he break?
The only thing Jesus said about governments is we should obey them. One Nation under God?

That is how most modern Christians think! Is it biblical, i say not. I will post when it is published.
 
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Maori Aussie

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That is how most modern Christians think! Is it biblical, i say not. I will post when it is published.
Personally, I am pretty Conservative, a compassionate conservative of Ronald Reagans era, but reading the NT for politics, it seems to be Compassionate Anarchy, topped by God and Messiah Jesus as ideal benevolent Dictators...
 
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com7fy8

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I don’t see Scripture endorsing one particular form of government over another. What it does emphasize is how we live under any government, with love, integrity, and devotion to God. As Jesus said, all the Law and the Prophets hang on two commands: love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Humans can use anything in a bad way. But with God we can have dictatorship that is good . . . with Jesus ruling as our King. And we can be democratic, no one lording it over someone else, and have even unanimous agreement. And the early church had all things common; however, certain ones abused that.

With Moses, I guess you could call the tithe a tax. But it was to be used to help the needy and to feed the tither while the people were attending a gathering of the LORD.

But then was while so many owned land for agriculture for supporting their families. In the United States we do not have most families owning lands where they can sustain themselves. And we don't have every man of age ready and expert with weapons, for war. Everyone was commanded to help the poor; so they did have a sort of welfare.
 
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