17 Tell us then what You think about this: Is it lawful to pay tribute [levied on individuals and to be paid yearly] to Caesar or not?
18 But Jesus, aware of their malicious plot, asked, Why do you put Me to the test and try to entrap Me, you pretenders (hypocrites)?
19 Show me the money used for the tribute. And they brought Him a denarius.
20 And Jesus said to them, Whose likeness and title are these?
21 They said, Caesar’s. Then He said to them, Pay therefore to Caesar the things that are due to Caesar, and pay to God the things that are due to God. Matthew 22:17-21 AMPC
Pay Taxes
The Pharisees were a group of religious leaders who were jealous of Jesus and desired to trap Him in His words so they can bring up an accusation against them. They sent people to ask Him a question whether it is lawful or right for them to pay taxes to Tiberius Caesar who was the Romans emperor at the time. Jesus knew by the Holy Spirit that they were trying to trap Him. He could read the hearts of men. The answer that Jesus gave was perfect. He said bring a coin to me. He said, "who's image is on it?" They responded, "the image of Caesar." Jesus says, "Give to Caesar what belongs to him and give to God what belongs to Him." The Pharisees were looking for a different response hoping Jesus would say, "you don't have to pay." Then they could bring up an accusation of treason and report it to the Roman soldiers.
Today, there are many who are against paying taxes. We use money that the Federal Reserve prints. It doesn't belong to us, we just use it as a means to trade. We should pay taxes. If that is what the Federal Reserve wants, then we should give to them what belongs to them and give to God what belongs to Him.
We should worship, serve, and obey God.
12 Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock].
13 Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
14 Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service.
15 For it is God’s will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons.
1 Peter 2:12-15 AMPC
We should obey the law of the land as long as it doesn't go against the commands of Jesus Christ.
There are some ministries who are against obtaining a 501c3 as a non profit organization. It is required by law that we must file. We want to be obedient to God first and the law of the land second. We are a non-profit 501c3 and in no way does it cause us to compromise the word of God. Plus, we legally do not have to pay taxes and it is a benefit to those who donate as well. If an organization acts as a church, then they do not have to file for a 501c3. If a ministry other than a church has chosen not file and chooses not to pay taxes that would be defrauding what is due. We as Christians must operate in the mind of Christ.
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