Tax collecting - Righting the Wrongs of Government

Tax collectors are not exactly shown in a good light in the Bible. Not per say because Jesus was against the idea of taxes that needed to support government, in fact Jesus says:

“And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.” (KJV) Luke 20:25

He was against corruption and usury that came along with this job. Tonight and tomorrow morning, I have the unique blessing to right the government wrongs just a bit. I sit on the board of assessment appeals: A unique board where people can come to complain that their taxes were set too high and if they can provide proof, this board can adjust their taxes as deemed reasonable. While this is not exactly throwing over the tax collector’s table, it is trying to make the tax assessment fairer.

One of the disciples was actually a tax collector. Matthew 9:9 describes his transformation from tax collector to disciple:

“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.” (KJV)

I don’t expect to have such an experience tonight, but I hope that I would have the faith the Matthew had. How scary and difficult to walk away from a sure job to follow a man that many of the priests were speaking against? Matthew’s choice reminds us all to keep our priorities straight. Nothing should take precedence above the call of God, least of all money or other earthly assets.

“And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (KJV) Matthew 19:24

Matthew’s choice is an example to all of us how simple the choice should be. Let us all pray to have the strength that Matthew had.