The Inevitable: Taxes
“…death and taxes…”
As we approach the federal deadline for filing our income tax returns (April 18th this year for the procrastinators among us) it’s not uncommon to hear this idiom uttered around the water cooler. These two are inevitable!
But as we’ve demonstrated over the past few weeks, this expression isn’t comprehensive. Seth Troutt highlighted that (certain types of) change are as certain as the sunrise. Luke Simmons reminded us that while suffering is all but guaranteed, it can be meaningful. And Cherie Wagner challenged us to lean into using death as a meditation that leads us towards purposeful living.
So what about taxes? Can the inevitability of tax season teach us anything useful?
There’s most certainly a lesson about being subject to authorities and being a faithful citizen…
We could dive into the very real human need to be part of a community; highlighting situations and problems that can only successfully be addressed by pooling resources and talents…
…or, we can address the very real pattern of governments to grow so corrupt that the pooling of resources tends to further human oppression rather than alleviating it.
And can we ignore the ever popular, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's’ quote?
Or do we throw a curve ball and remind ourselves that ‘make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth’ is included in the same scriptures?
While each of these topics, and the tension that they require us to embrace, would be a great discussion on their own, I think the most relevant reflection for our current political climate is one regarding transactions.
One of the most difficult things about the tax season, is that it leads many of us to ponder – ‘What exactly am I getting for this?’
Sullen, and perhaps angry, we are reminded that we’re funding politician’s salaries, programs we may or may not agree with, and far-reaching global engagements that may have tenuous moral implications.
We’re an economic people. And unchecked, we tend to view almost everything through a transactional lens.
Rarely does this hit home more than when we’re downloading W-2s and K-1s that show exactly how much we made last year (vs what we actually took home).
But is all of life tit-for-tat? Is quid pro quo, sine qua non?
It doesn’t have to be.
There is another way to live life – it’s costly, but it is much more effective at transforming society than government and taxes. It is the upside-down life that Jesus refers to in the beatitudes.
Rather than seeing others as means to an end, it voluntarily takes responsibility to give. It is a way that serves, rather than seeking to be served. It focuses on building one’s own house on a firm foundation, rather than concerning itself with other’s obligations.
Admittedly, Christians and the church have often not been the best example of this worldview. We’re flawed. The accusation of ‘hypocrites’ is not unfounded.
In treating others as merely economic engines, or labor to be exploited, we’ve done a disservice to the name of Jesus.
To those claiming the name ‘Christian’ – let’s remember that while our economic system might promote a transactional view of people and relationships, His way is to view every person as bearing the image of God — Imago Dei.
To those who have felt used and exploited by Christians or the Church – let me apologize for the suffering you’ve endured. It’s our goal to take responsibility for demonstrating what a community that values relationships above transactions looks like.
If and when you’re ready to give church another try, we would be grateful for the opportunity to engage with you in a way that that you are valued as a person, an image-bearer, not a resource or tax-payer.
For additional reading on how the church, and Christians, should be countercultural in their views and actions, consider checking out these online papers:
The Church in Our Time: Nurturing Congregations of Faithful Presence
By Gregory Thompson
What is Christian Cultural Engagement?
By Tim Keller
Or this book, Foolishness to the Greeks by Lesslie Newbigin
Oh… and if you haven’t filed your taxes yet, here’s a link to the e-filing options. Best of luck!