Taxes— the subject of many grumble-filled
conversations. One of these conversations is recorded in Matthew 17:24-27,
where Jesus talks to Peter about paying taxes.
Taxes are the price paid for privileges. Income tax for the privilege of working, sales tax for the privilege of buying, school tax for the privilege of receiving education for our children, etc. Jesus and Peter were discussing the temple tax, a tax paid by Israelites and Levites which went towards the upkeep of the Jewish place of worship.
One of the taxes paid in the United States is property tax. No matter where a person lives, there are property taxes to pay for the benefits (roads, law enforcement, libraries, etc) of living in that area.
Some places property taxes are extremely high—so high not everyone can afford to live in those areas. These places are usually well maintained, with lots of benefits like parks, good water, and plentiful public services.
Dick and I have seldom paid property taxes (though we pay all the other taxes that everyone else pays.) That’s because in pastoral ministry, churches often own the property, so they pay the property taxes, rather than the pastor paying them. It’s a nice perk!
Heaven has a property tax. Heaven is God’s kingdom. He owns it. If we want to live there, we must be able to “pay the tax” for that privilege. The problem is, it’s astronomical—more than anyone can pay. The price is purity, holiness, sinlessness. (I Corinthians 6:9)
None of us can afford it. That’s why Jesus paid it for us. He gave His life on the cross as the price to make us fit for Heaven, to make us pure and holy. It’s a payment for privileges—the privilege of life with God in His kingdom. Anyone who believes in Him can live there! The taxes are already paid up!
Be encouraged!
©2024 Pamela D. Williams.
