We should pay taxes because Jesus says, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). It requires money to run government operations, so we must pay tax if we want to have a government at all. Do we want to be protected from invading armies? Do we want to have roads to drive our cars on? Do we want officers of the law to protect us from evil people? Romans 13:6-7 says, “For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” We are to respect our authorities in government and pay them what they are due (key phrase). If a government oppresses its people, they are taking more than their due. In such cases, as in the beginning of the United States, it may become necessary to take extreme measures to achieve freedom. If, however, a government is being fair and not oppressive (albeit imperfectly), it is obedience to God to pay tax.
The Good News