The Bible has quite a bit to say about the issue of paying taxes. As citizens living under governing authorities, Christians have a responsibility to pay taxes and support their government. The Bible speaks about this issue directly through teachings and stories, providing wisdom and insight for believers trying to navigate this aspect of life.
Romans 13:1-7 – Submitting to Governing Authorities
One of the clearest passages related to paying taxes is Romans 13:1-7. In this passage, Paul urges believers to submit themselves to the governing authorities because they have been established by God. We are called to obedience in this area because rulers do not bear the sword in vain – they have been given authority to punish wrongdoing. For this reason, we should pay our taxes and owe nothing to anyone except love. Paying taxes is validated as part of our duty under submission to the state.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:1-7, ESV)
Mark 12:13-17 – Paying Taxes to Caesar
Another famous passage related to taxes comes from Mark 12:13-17. In this story, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus by asking whether or not it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus perceives their false motives and says “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
In this story, Jesus upholds the need to pay taxes while also clarifying priorities – what we owe to the state does not supersede what we owe to God. This passage establishes taxes as a biblically-mandated duty.
“And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.” (Mark 12:13-17, ESV)
Matthew 22:15-22 – The Question about Paying Taxes
A third prominent passage comes from Matthew 22:15-22. This passage tells the same story as the previous section from Mark. Once again, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus by asking about paying taxes. Jesus affirms the need to pay taxes to governing authorities by saying “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
This story establishes taxes as a duty, while clarifying the priority of God over earthly authorities. As Christians, paying taxes is biblical, but does not usurp what we owe to God.
“Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.” (Matthew 22:15-22, ESV)
1 Peter 2:13-17 – Submit Yourselves for the Lord’s Sake
This passage from 1 Peter echoes the call to submit to governing authorities from Romans 13. Once again, Peter urges believers to submit to human institutions like the emperor and governors. This includes the duty to “pay respect to whom respect is owed” and “honor the emperor.”
This excerpt provides additional biblical support for paying taxes as part of our obligation under human government.
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.” (1 Peter 2:13-18, ESV)
Luke 20:20-26 – Is it Lawful for Us to Give Tribute to Caesar?
Yet another parallel story that emphasizes the importance of paying taxes comes from Luke 20:20-26. The chief priests and scribes try to catch Jesus in his words regarding taxes. As before, Jesus upholds the duty to pay taxes saying “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
This passage conveys taxes as a responsibility, while emphasizing God as the priority.
“So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.” (Luke 20:20-26, ESV)
Paying Taxes Demonstrates Good Citizenship and Obedience
Based on these passages, paying taxes is clearly endorsed in the Bible. As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to our governing authorities and paying taxes is part of good citizenship. Jesus himself modeled obedience in this area by paying taxes, even though he had divine authority as the Son of God. The apostles also call Christians to submit to earthly institutions as part of our witness through upright conduct.
At the same time, the Bible qualifies this by explaining that our duty to God supersedes our duty to the state. Paying taxes is important, but does not usurp the authority of God in our lives. We owe our ultimate allegiance to Jesus Christ while still fulfilling our roles as citizens under government authorities.
Taxes Provide Necessary Support for Society
While taxes are clearly advocated in Scripture, the Bible does not provide specific instructions for modern tax codes. Instead, the Bible speaks in general principles about the role of taxes within orderly societies.
In the Bible, paying taxes provided essential support for building infrastructure and national defense. Governments cannot function without revenue and taxes are an appropriate way to provide this funding. As citizens who benefit from governing authorities, paying taxes upholds social order.
Even during the time of foreign rule in Israel, Jews were called to pay taxes to governing powers like the Egyptians and Romans. This sets a precedent for paying taxes even to authorities we may not consider fully legitimate from a worldly perspective. Regardless of how we may feel about the current government, paying taxes is still endorsed biblically.
Jesus Upholds the Importance of Taxes in His Teaching
An important aspect of Jesus’ teaching on taxes comes from the context of his responses. In multiple instances, Jesus is approached by groups trying to trap him in his words. They ask him about paying taxes hoping he will say something they can use against him.
Jesus perceives their ill intentions and responds in wisdom – he upholds the need to pay taxes, while also emphasizing God as the higher priority. By affirming taxes, Jesus withstands the trap of his opponents. This lends even more credibility to the importance of taxes in his teaching.
As the Son of God, Jesus understood every intricacy of the law and its application. By explicitly endorsing taxes, he reinforces it as a duty that aligns with God’s will, even when being tested by enemies hoping to undermine his authority.
Taxes Should be Paid Fairly and Honestly
While the Bible endorses paying taxes, it does not necessitate agreeing with every aspect of the tax code. However, believers should still aim to pay taxes honestly and fairly based on current laws. The Bible denounces injustice and corruption, which can certainly manifest in flawed tax systems.
At the same time, Christians should not refuse to pay taxes or try to avoid them altogether. As shown in these passages, taxes are considered part of our duty to the state. Even if we do not like how tax revenue is used, payment is still endorsed biblically barring outright unethical policies.
The Bible Commands Citizens to Pay Taxes Despite Imperfections
One final consideration on taxes comes from the imperfection of worldly systems. Even the best governments will be flawed and tax dollars may be used in ways citizens oppose. Yet the Bible still commands followers of Christ to pay taxes and honor the authorities.
Paul urges the payment of taxes to the Roman empire, even though it was oppressive and hostile to Christianity. The emperors deified themselves and nurtured a cult of personality that directly contradicted godly living. Despite these flaws, Christians were still called to pay taxes faithfully as part of their duty within an imperfect system.
This biblical precedent establishes that taxes are to be paid even if the government using them acts unjustly at times. As long as basic moral obligations are upheld, Christians have a responsibility to pay taxes dutifully even if funds are occasionally used unwisely.
Exceptions: When Taxes Fund Serious Moral Ills
The Bible does not condemn tax avoidance or resistance when government policies become egregiously unjust. In these rare situations, civil disobedience may become the moral response. However, these circumstances should be exceptions to the rule of dutiful tax payment.
Examples of situations that may warrant tax resistance include genocide, overt racial discrimination, abortion funding, and other explicit attacks on Christian values. In these extreme cases, followers of Christ must look to Scripture and the Spirit for guidance on how to respond.
Outside of these clear affronts to biblical morality, Christians are charged to pay taxes faithfully even when government is imperfect. Only when overt oppression threatens the honor of God and human dignity is refusal potentially warranted.
Conclusions
In summary, the Bible clearly advocates paying taxes as part of our submission to governing authorities. Jesus and the apostles taught believers to dutifully pay taxes while also prioritizing God above all. These teachings establish taxes as a biblically-mandated duty for Christians.
Paying taxes expresses good citizenship, provides necessary funding for society, and exemplifies one aspect of obedience to Christ. At the same time, the Bible indicates taxes are not the supreme obligation: God remains the highest priority. Biblical precedent also indicates that refusing or avoiding taxes is only acceptable in cases of overt unethical policies.
As modern followers seek to apply Scripture, a balance must be found between responsible tax payment and moral resistance when government violates clear biblical principles. With wisdom and discernment, Christians can faithfully navigate this tension while upholding what the Bible teaches regarding taxes for the glory of God.