Taxes – Romans 13:6-7

How many times have you thought that you would do a better job with Tax payers money than the government of that time? I think only the other day I was complaining at what our government was doing! As much however as we disagree with what our government(s) may be doing for our country, we still have to respect them and to continue to pay our taxes. Government officials may or may not know it, but they are in a highly responsible position where they should be carrying out Gods will for the land. Therefore regardless of what we think, we need to continue to support them. After all, should they make mistakes, or decisions displeasing to Him, it will be Him they answer to and not us!

It is also our duty therefore, as we read on into verse 7, that we treat out government with respect. They have been given a position of high responsibility, and therefore we should not become caught in the web of negative words against them. The media today picks up very much upon the faults of government parties, as well as the individual faults of members in the name of entertainment and news. People gloat over this information, and use it to fuel their dislike of that person or party. We must not get involved in that world. Avoid reading papers that do this, or watching programs of a similar nature. We are to be obedient to the Lord: (Acts 23:5, Exodus 22:28).

Mark 12:17  – Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.

We do therefore have a responsibility to fund our government.  It helps support all the services that are provided, including the security and safety the police and fire services bring.  We should render unto our government the taxes they require without complaint.  If we get the “cash in hand” jobs, as tempting as it may be to keep, we should seek to do the right thing and ensure all taxes have been paid on all amounts of money in.

Why do this?  We do this as a sign of respect for those in Government that God has placed there, and also as an act of obedience to the Lord who has commanded we do this.

Servant Heart – 1 Corinthians 3:1-10

6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.

(NLT)

Reading today’s Daily Devotional in Our Daily Bread reminds me of the very many occasions where I have looked to get the credit for a great idea of mine, or for something I have done that has pleased others.  I can even remember how angry I have felt if someone else has taken the credit for my own work!!  Of course I desire the attention for my own means, to build myself up artificially and give myself a confidence and ego boost.  In fact even a couple of years ago, my “ego” was 200 thousand miles above sea level!!!  I nursed it daily, was very loud mouthed about my achievements and would really enjoy received what I perceived as adulation!

Of course the great feeling I would get would only last a few minutes if that.  People soon forgot events, and it no longer mattered.  Over the last year the Lord really has humbled me, sure I still struggle with the desire to “big myself up” and to say “look what I have done”, however the Lord is giving strength to resist and to take a step back!

Our actions should not be to glorify ourselves, but to give glory to the Risen Lord.  It is He who gives us breath, He who gives us life, health, opportunities, so to Him should go the glory!  In this passage in Corinthians, Paul says “who is Paul?”  He is highlighting that he is not important in the grand scheme of things!  After all, Paul may have planted a seed, but it is the Lord that does the watering!  It is God who nurtures and tends to the gardens of our heart and brings forth wonderful and amazing fruit.

All our actions should not be to seek attention, glory, credit, adulation etc, but to advance the Kingdom of God, and to give Him glory.  We may plant, and sometimes dig up the crop, but the Lord does the hard work!  By humbling ourselves and adopting a servant heart to the Lord, wanting only to do His will, others may not notice in this life, but the Lord certainly will, and He has promised us reward in heaven!

10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

James 4:10 (NLT)