Obey the Authorities

In the Book of Luke 20:25 (NKJV), Jesus says, 

“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 

Of course, that is confirmed in Romans 13:1 which says we must obey the authorities.

I remember like yesterday going to the Eastern Cape and being invited to speak at a Farmers’ Day. I was asked to be part of a panel, three or four of us that were going to answer questions from the group of farmers. I must be honest with you, panels are not my strong point and I don’t feel comfortable sitting on panels, I would rather just preach the Gospel. Anyway, while I sat there a farmer got up, he was quite irate, he was quite upset, and he said to me, “I have a question for Angus, is it lawful to pay your taxes to a government that you do not believe in?” I was totally caught unawares, I didn’t know what to say, and then this scripture came to mind where Jesus said, “whose inscription is on that money?” They said Caesar’s.  I said to the gentleman, “Do you have a R10 note?” He said, “yes.” I said, “can I see it?” and he brought it to me. I said, “whose name is on that” and he said, “the South African Government”. I said, “well then you have to pay your taxes.”

I just want to reiterate, and this is very important: we can duck and dive and avoid paying our income tax, avoid paying the authorities, but at the end of the day it is actually God that we are doing this for, not for ourselves. You see the early Jews wanted Jesus to be their deliverer, but Jesus said that “this kingdom is not My kingdom. My kingdom is in heaven,” and therefore he would not compromise His stand. You and I need to understand, we obey the authorities not for the sake of the authorities, but for the sake of God, because if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these other things will be added unto us. (Matthew 6:33)

Jesus bless you
Angus and Jill Buchan