Pay Up

Though Joseph earned a meager living with his carpentry skills, he and Mary obeyed the law by making the four-day journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay their due tax:  “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David; to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child” (Luke 2:4–6). What a difficult trip for Mary, whether she walked or rode on a donkey. Yet, despite the discomfort, she obeyed the law, fulfilling the prophecy of where the Messiah was born (Micah 5:2).

Taxes and the census—since early Bible days, they’ve been around; government reports about who’s who, where you live, and your financial status. You may not like these reports thinking, your business is yours alone, but the law is the law. Jesus said that we should give Caesar (the government) what we owe and God those things that are His (Luke 20:25). Honor God and obey His Word as a child of His Kingdom, no matter how uncomfortable the journey. As a law-abiding citizen, obey the land laws if they aren’t contrary to God’s law. Give what’s due them both, whether you disagree with or dislike the idea.