A Moocher is one who “obtains or tries to obtain by begging; stealing; filching; to get or try to get something free of charge…” A Miscreant is: “a depraved, villainous, or base individual; an evildoer…” Nothing reveals a Moocher or a Miscreant like the Income Tax Filing Deadline. One half of the nation is receiving welfare of some sort and will file no Tax Return for any personal income. At the same time that the government has seen fit to spend more money than it has, the number of non-payers (there are people without income tax liability) has increased by 59% in less than a decade. The number of non-payers grew from 32.6 million in 2000 to 51.6 million in 2008. At the same time, the total number of tax filers only grew by 10%. This is simply unsustainable.
The deadline for payment of Taxes for 2009 is April 15, 2010. The Heritage Foundation has details and gives us some insight into exactly how much of the wealth that the working citizens of this nation have created Washington is spending - and - how they are spending it. “In 2010, Washington will spend a record $31,406 per household. In 2010, Washington will collect $18,276 per household in taxes. The $13,130 difference between spending and revenue is our budget deficit per household…on top of all prior government debt. Since 2008, government spending has increased by $5,000 per household. That's in just two years. Over the last decade, government spending has increased $10,000 per household.”
The Heritage Foundation also has information regarding the breakdown for us of how Tax Dollars are disbursed. Here are the highlights: “Social Security/Medicare: $9,949 per household; Defense: $6,071 per household; Antipoverty programs: $5,466 per household; Unemployment benefits: $1,640 per household; Interest on the federal debt: $1,585 per household; Veterans' benefits: $1,052 per household; Federal employee retirement benefits: $1,018 per household; Education: $914 per household; Highways/mass transit: $613 per household; Health research/regulation: $550 per household; Mortgage Credit: $470 per household; All other federal programs justice, international affairs, natural resources, the environment, regional development, farm subsidies, social services, space exploration, air transportation and energy: $2,078 per household.” The outgo is exceeding the income – and – the upkeep will be our downfall.
The Question is sometimes asked: Did Jesus Christ have to pay Taxes? The answer is: Yes! In Matthew 17:24-27, “After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax? Yes, he does, he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. What do you think, Simon? he asked. From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes from their own sons or from others? From others, Peter answered. Then the sons are exempt, Jesus said to him. But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." Another similar incident is in Matthew 22:15-22, “…the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him (Jesus) in his words…Teacher…we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth….Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?...Show me the coin used for paying the tax…Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription? Caesar's, they replied. Then he said to them, Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.” We also find that the Biblical approach to taxes and payment of the same is clearly stated in Romans 13:5-7, “…it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Jesus Christ expects His followers to do the right and honorable thing, namely, pay the taxes that are due! Don’t fall into the morass of those choosing to be Moochers and/or Miscreants. Consider these things with me!
The deadline for payment of Taxes for 2009 is April 15, 2010. The Heritage Foundation has details and gives us some insight into exactly how much of the wealth that the working citizens of this nation have created Washington is spending - and - how they are spending it. “In 2010, Washington will spend a record $31,406 per household. In 2010, Washington will collect $18,276 per household in taxes. The $13,130 difference between spending and revenue is our budget deficit per household…on top of all prior government debt. Since 2008, government spending has increased by $5,000 per household. That's in just two years. Over the last decade, government spending has increased $10,000 per household.”
The Heritage Foundation also has information regarding the breakdown for us of how Tax Dollars are disbursed. Here are the highlights: “Social Security/Medicare: $9,949 per household; Defense: $6,071 per household; Antipoverty programs: $5,466 per household; Unemployment benefits: $1,640 per household; Interest on the federal debt: $1,585 per household; Veterans' benefits: $1,052 per household; Federal employee retirement benefits: $1,018 per household; Education: $914 per household; Highways/mass transit: $613 per household; Health research/regulation: $550 per household; Mortgage Credit: $470 per household; All other federal programs justice, international affairs, natural resources, the environment, regional development, farm subsidies, social services, space exploration, air transportation and energy: $2,078 per household.” The outgo is exceeding the income – and – the upkeep will be our downfall.
The Question is sometimes asked: Did Jesus Christ have to pay Taxes? The answer is: Yes! In Matthew 17:24-27, “After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax? Yes, he does, he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. What do you think, Simon? he asked. From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes from their own sons or from others? From others, Peter answered. Then the sons are exempt, Jesus said to him. But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." Another similar incident is in Matthew 22:15-22, “…the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him (Jesus) in his words…Teacher…we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth….Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?...Show me the coin used for paying the tax…Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription? Caesar's, they replied. Then he said to them, Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.” We also find that the Biblical approach to taxes and payment of the same is clearly stated in Romans 13:5-7, “…it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Jesus Christ expects His followers to do the right and honorable thing, namely, pay the taxes that are due! Don’t fall into the morass of those choosing to be Moochers and/or Miscreants. Consider these things with me!
2 comments:
Solid and well-appreciated advice. Somehow, our country must return to this concept--a long road ahead. Pray.
Things that are received for 'free' are not valued. Our government's policy is undermining gratefulness and thankfulness. It is also prompting greed and selfishness. Transfer payments from the payers to the moochers only reward mooching and devalue work.
I'm concerned for the effect on our nation's spiritual health: the values encouraged by our national policy are working against the Biblical values of providing for one's self and one's family, gratefulness, and dependence on Him, not dependence on Uncle Sam.
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