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Florida_Mom_27 -> RE: Christians morally obligated to report tax evasion? (8/23/2008 2:16:35 PM)
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I would also like to add that the verse "Judge not lest you be judged" is frequently misinterpreted by people, especially non-Christians. From my online researching the topic : (not my own words)
Jesus’ words “judge not” are frequently taken out of context, and the following verses are conveniently omitted. Scott Peck writes:
“The sentence ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged’ is usually quoted out of context. Christ did not enjoin us to refrain from ever judging. What he went on to say in the next four verses is that we should judge ourselves before we judge others--not that we shouldn’t judge at all. ‘Thou hypocrite,’ he said, ‘first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to case out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.’ (Mt. 7:5) Recognizing the potential for evil in moral judgments, he instructed us not to always avoid making them but to purify ourselves before doing so.”[13]
Here is what the Bible says, and Jesus says, about admonishing the sinner:
"Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart, but reprove him openly, lest thou incur sin through him” (Leviticus 19:17).
“He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).
Jesus - “If thy brother sin against thee, reprove him: and if he do penance, forgive him” (Luke 17:3).
“Them that sin reprove before all: that the rest also may have fear” (1 Timothy 5:20).
“Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2).
“Brethren, and if a man be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
It is a grace from God to be corrected, a grace that should be thankfully and humbly accepted the moment it is offered to us. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsels" (Proverbs 12:15).
Today, unfortunately, the Ten Commandments have been replaced with what Alan Wolfe refers to as America’s Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt not judge. William Bennett notes that “if they will not judge, they can be rightly suspected of being without convictions.”[3]
Those without convictions proclaim a mistaken notion of tolerance:
“But ‘tolerance’ can be a genuinely harmful force when it becomes a euphemism for moral exhaustion and a rigid or indifferent neutrality in response to every great moral issue—when, in G.K. Chesterton’s phrase, it becomes the virtue of people who do not believe in anything.”[4]
Withholding charitable correction when called to do so is plainly against Jesus’ teaching, and against the love of neighbor.
From www.gotquestions.org:
Federal income tax, state income tax, local income tax, sales tax, property tax, personal property tax, capital gains tax - the list could go on and on. Statistics show that in the United States, April 15th, tax day, is one of the most stressful days of the year. The Internal Revenue Service is probably the most despised government organization. Similarly, tax collectors were not thought highly of in Bible times (Matthew 11:19; 21:31-32; Luke 3:12-13).
As much as we hate taxes, as much as the tax system is corrupt and unfair, as much as there are far better things our money could go towards - the Bible commands, yes commands us to pay our taxes. Romans 13:1-7 makes it clear that we are to submit ourselves to the government. The only instance in which we are allowed to disobey the government is when it tells us to do something the Bible forbids. The Bible does not forbid paying taxes. In fact, the Bible encourages us to pay taxes. Therefore, we must submit to God and His Word - and pay our taxes.
Again, these are not my words, just what I have come across researching the topic. What I gather is that I shouldn't REPORT this person, but contact them directly about it, which I am not that excited about.
Can anyone else help me with some verse on the topic? Thanks
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