Christian’s Responsibility to the Government - Part 3

by Chan Yong Yaw

Every country needs money to run its programs. The money comes from various sources such as foreign investments, trade, tourism, taxes and customs, etc.

Every citizen has to abide by the country’s laws, including paying taxes and customs if need be. Christians ought to be law-abiding citizens; therefore, we pay taxes and customs when necessary.

“For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour” (Rom 13:6-7).
The Lord Jesus taught us the same principle.

“And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:16-21).

Giving is an important part of being a Christian. We give to the church to further the work of God’s kingdom, but we also give to the government as an institution founded by God so that God can bless us. Luke gives us an example of this.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38).

God uses his providence alongside men and government in order to give back what we have given.

Give to the government what rightfully belongs to them. What rightfully belongs to God is our trust and obedience. God wants us to submit to the civil authorities; we trust and obey Him in doing so.

In our next post we will look at how we honor and respect our Governments.