Things We Christians Can Do To Help Our County (Part 2)

People accuse us Christians of having no earthly good because we are so heavenly minded. But that should not be the case for we are the salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16). The salt won’t do any good if it stays in the saltshaker “and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house.” (v. 15, Contemporary English Version)

Last week, we talked about obeying traffic rules and throwing our trash properly. Today we will continue our series on things we can do to help our country.

We are to pay our taxes. God commanded us to pay our taxes and pay it right. God is honored when we keep only one accounting book. We must also pay it on time for delayed obedience is disobedience. “You people are robbing me, your God. And, here you are, asking, ‘How are we robbing you?’ You are robbing me of the offerings and of the ten percent that belongs to me. That's why your whole nation is under a curse.” (Malachi 3:8-9) You may say, “That refers to tithes and offerings!” Yes but we have to remember that Israel was a theocracy or has a government led directly by God. So, at that time, the tithe is a form of tax. Now even if we are in a democratic set-up, what Malachi said applies to us. We are robbing God when we don’t pay the right taxes at the right time. Is this the reason why our family, our company and our nation seems to be under the curse?

You may be saying, “Corruption is rampant in the government. My tax money will just be stolen.” But, remember my message a few Sundays ago on our responsibility to the government? The Roman Empire during the time of the apostle Paul was so corrupt. Yet, Paul wrote: “Pay all that you owe, whether it is taxes and fees or respect and honor.” (Romans 13:7) Paying our taxes is our part. Spending it wisely is the government’s part. Corruption on their part is not an excuse for neglect on our part.

The Lord challenged the nation Israel: “I am the LORD All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing.” (Malachi 3:10) I believe God is promising us the same thing.

Brethren, let us pay the right taxes at the right time!

Yours in Christ,

Bro. Eyriche C. Cortez
Associate Pastor, English Worship Service

P.S.
This Tuesday, September 6, I will give a talk on the controversial The Da Vinci Code to sophomore students of Miriam College. “Please pray that I will make the message as clear as possible” (Colossians 4:4) so that they would come to know the Lord Jesus as Savior.

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