Why Shall We Pay Taxes
J. Lyth, D.D. Romans 13:3-6 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good… Because — 1. Government must be supported. 2. The governor as well as the labourer is worthy of his hire. 3. The governor is God's minister. 4. It is a conscientious duty. (J. Lyth, D.D.) Render therefore to all their dues. — We owe — I. TO GOD — 1. Fear (Matthew 10:28). By reason of — (1) His sovereignty (Malachi 1:6). (2) His justice. (3) His power (Jeremiah 5:22). 2. Love (Deuteronomy 6:5); for — (1) His excellency in Himself (Song of Solomon 5:16). (2) His love to us (1 John 4:10, 11). 3. Desires (Psalm 73:25). Because He is — (1) The ocean of happiness in Himself (Matthew 19:17). (2) The fountain of it to us (Psalm 36:9). 4. Faith in what He saith (1 John 5:10). (1) Because of His own veracity (Hebrews 6:18). (2) The certainty of the revelations confirmed by miracles (2 Peter 1:18, 19). 5. Trust on what He promises (Proverbs 3:5; Romans 4:20). Because of — (1) His freedom in making them. (2) His faithfulness in keeping them (Deuteronomy 7:9). 6. Thankfulness (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Because — (1) We are unworthy of any mercy (Genesis 32:10). (2) It is all we can return (Micah 6:8). 7. Obedience (1 Samuel 15:22). (1) Which should be — (a) Sincere (Romans 6:17). (b) Universal (Luke 1:6; Psalm 119:6). (c) Constant (Luke 1:75). (2) This we owe, by reason of our — (a) Creation. (b) Preservation (Acts 17:28). (c) Redemption (1 Corinthians 6:20). (d) Vow in baptism. (e) Our profession of the Christian religion (2 Timothy 2:19). 8. Honour and adoration (Malachi 1:6). (1) Of His wisdom (Romans 11:33). (2) Omniscience (Psalm 147:5). (3) Omnipresence (Psalm 139:5, 7). (4) Omnipotence (Matthew 19:26). (5) Mercy (Exodus 34:6). (6) Justice. (7) Eternity (Exodus 3:14). 9. Then render unto God His dues. Consider — (1) Otherwise you rob God (Malachi 3:8). (2) You rob yourselves, your happiness consisting in obeying God. You rob yourselves — (a) Of the comforts of a good conscience (2 Corinthians 1:12). (b) Of joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17). (c) Of the favour of God (Isaiah 59:2). (d) Of a blessing here (Deuteronomy 28:1). (e) Of happiness hereafter (Hebrews 7:14). (3) By paying Him His due you secure yourselves — (a) From present curses (Malachi 2:2; chap. Romans 8:28). (b) Future torments (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9). (4) He will call you to account (2 Corinthians 5:10). (5) Render His due, and He will render to you His promise in heaven (Matthew 25:46). II. TO MEN. 1. Superiors, civil, ecclesiastical, economical. (1) Subjection (Romans 5:1; Titus 3:1). (2) Tribute (Matthew 17:24-27). (3) Custom. (a) We ought to have a care of the public good. (b) It is a debt of gratitude for the benefits we receive from the magistrate. (c) A debt of justice for his trouble in the management of public affairs (Romans 13:6). (4) Fear (Proverbs 24:21). (5) Honour (1 Peter 2:17). (a) So as to acknowledge them to be ordained of God. (b) Love them for their office sake. (c) Be thankful for the benefits we receive from them. (d) Fidelity and allegiance (2 Samuel 20:2). (e) Entertain no ill thoughts of his person or actions (Ecclesiastes 10:20). 2. Inferiors (Job 31:13-15). (1) Humility and respect (Philippians 2:3). (2) Charity and relief (1 Timothy 6:17; Job 31:16-21). Consider — (a) He that pities the poor, lends to God (Proverbs 19:17). (b) This is the only way to lay up our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19, 20). III. TO ALL. 1. Love (ver. 8). (1) This is Christ's special command (John 13:34). (2) Without this we have no love for God (1 John 4:20, 21). 2. Honour (1 Peter 2:17). Because — (1) None but excel us in some things (Philippians 2:3). (2) All are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). (3) We are all professors of the Christian religion (Mark 9:41; 1 Peter 3:7). 3. Charitable thoughts (1 Corinthians 13:5). (1) We know not others' hearts (1 Corinthians 2:11). (2) Nor God's intentions towards them (James 4:12). 4. Do good to all (Galatians 6:10). (1) Hereby we imitate God (Matthew 5:44, 45). (2) Give glory to God (Matthew 5:16). 5. Speak well of all (James 4:11). 6. Pray for all (1 Timothy 2:1; Matthew 5:44), for their — (1) Temporal good. (2) Spiritual (1 Timothy 2:4). 7. Be just and honest to all (Matthew 7:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:6); otherwise, if we defraud others, we can get no good by it (Proverbs 10:22), but much hurt (Haggai 1:6). 8. Render to all their dues. Consider — (1) Unless we render them to men we cannot to God. (2) Unless we do this we sin against the very light of nature. (3) God will bring us into judgment for all unjust dealings. (Bp. Beveridge.) Parallel Verses KJV: For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: WEB: For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,