Thread: 🙂💯👍 the bible proves there is NO PROHIBITION against 501c tax status
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🙂💯👍 the bible proves there is NO PROHIBITION against 501c tax status
Posted : 21 Nov, 2021 10:19 AM
In Matthew 22:21, in talking about paying taxes, Jesus taught to give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. In Matthew 17:24-27, Jesus told Peter he would find a coin in the mouth of the first fish he caught that was to be used to pay for their Jewish temple tax.
John the Baptist also taught repentant tax collectors only to, "Collect no more than you are authorized to do" (Luke 3:13). Romans 13 affirms the importance of obeying the laws of one's culture. In all of these cases, we find ample evidence to support working within the laws of one's society to operate in a legal and ethical manner.
Some have argued against nonprofit incorporation based on 1 Corinthians 7:23 that states, "You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men."
👉👉 However, this verse cannot be properly applied to this topic. This passage dealt with the concept of human slavery rather than church organization.
🙂💯👍 the benefits of incorporation include the ability to offer tax deductible giving to church members, as well as nonprofit status for the church. Some see incorporation as negative, however, thinking it limits the ability of the church to speak out on sensitive politic issues. While this could become a potential future problem, churches should not generally fear this issue. Churches have been able to speak out on all sorts of issues throughout American history and have not experienced problems with their nonprofit status
🙂💯👍 the bible proves there is NO PROHIBITION against 501c tax status
Posted : 25 Nov, 2021 12:33 PM
Jesus didn't give his life so we could be tax-free he gave his life so we can be freed of his wrath because of our sins
Jesus’ response to the question in regard to paying taxes was, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mark 12:17, ESV) In other words, he was telling them to pay the tax in recognition of their obligation as subjects (not even citizens) of the Roman Empire. This message is consistent with Paul’s admonition to Romans to “Pay to all what is owed them,” including “taxes to whom taxes are owed.” (Rom 13:7) It is also in line with Peter’s instructions to submit to authorities, including governments. (1 Pet 2:13)
We should keep in mind as we read these instructions in Scripture that the government that Jesus, Paul and Peter were subjected to was not friendly to godliness. These admonitions were written more than two centuries before the Roman government became friendly to Christianity, through Emperor Constantine’s public conversion. In contrast, all three men who commanded submission to the government died at the hands of the government. So, the answer to the original questions about paying taxes when the government is misusing the money to support evil, even our own persecution, is that even then the payment is required
