Tax Time!

Give to Caesar what is Caesar's,

and to God what is God's.

Mark 12:17

Due to an incorrect address on one of my W-2's (yet again this year, although I have corrected it for two years running), I am just now starting my tax return and, I'm sorry - what a headache.  My father taught me how to do my taxes when I was a teenager, and I have been doing them myself ever since.  I started with paper returns, switched to tax software for several years, then graduated to online tax preparation, including online record storage for charitable contributions, etc. 

It seems like each year I receive a new numbered tax form that has to be reported to the IRS.  Thus I have one more step to learn in my tax preparation process.  Reading through tax filing guides is not my idea of a relaxing evening, nor a particularly enjoyable experience  I supposed I could pay to have someone else do my taxes, but I'm just stubborn enough not to want to do that.  This year I am stuck on IRA's, employer retirement funds, after tax vs. before tax contributions, etc.  Fortunately, I have a friend who does tax preparation for a living, so I am going to call her this week and beg for a little advice.

The second half of Jesus' statement is of equal important to me - rendering to God what is God's.  The Federal Government (i.e., Caesar) wants three things to put in its pocket:

1. 20+% of my money to pay for its daily activities
2. A percentage of my money to fund Social Security
3. A percentage of my money to fund Medicaid 

 What exactly does God want?  Well, if I have my facts straight, God also wants three things:

1. 10% of my money - my "tithe":  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, and prove me now, if I won't open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing... [Malachi 3:10]
2. One seventh of my time:  ...you have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.  [Exodus 20:10]
3. ALL of my heart:  You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, mind, soul and strength.  [Matthew 22:37]  

Oddly enough, it is easier for most people to give to Caesar what he requires than to give to God what He asks for.  Money is, well, just money.  The government asks for money - the church asks for money.  But time, talent, and the commitment of the heart?  Those are very different commodities that are not so easily rendered.