Death and Taxes (and Worship)

Well, it's April 11th and it's probably about time for me to start doing my taxes. Hey, it's been a busy spring with our vacation to California and the Good Friday/Easter season that we just finished up...at least that's my excuse this year! On the bright side, I have until the 16th this year because everyone at the post office and IRS will be going to church on the 15th (and I'd like to invite you all to come to New Hope Christian Fellowship at 10:30)!
Paying taxes isn't exactly my favorite activity. And doing my own taxes is way down near the bottom of my list. (If only I didn't have to pay taxes, then I'd have the money to pay someone to do my taxes for me)! This year should be interesting, too, because in 2006 I worked for three different churches, we had three different addresses, we sold and bought a house, and Kelly started working again. Whee!

But this year I've got a new angle. This week I read Romans chapter 13, and it includes a paragraph about our "rulers". Take a look at this whole passage:

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

So I'm thinking, if God established my government and they are His servants to do me good, then in a way my taxes are a gift to God's work! I know, that's a bit of a stretch. But at the very least, here it is in God's Word, the book I love and that I live my life by:

God wants me to submit to His divinely-established government servants here in the USA, not only to avoid punishment but for my conscience's sake, and that I need to give what I owe--taxes, revenue, respect and honor.

So, I'll be diligent with my tax forms, I'll be honest about how much money I made (a good chunk of it doesn't show up on my W-2's), and I'll do my best to have a good attitude about it all. Because after all, even if the IRS doesn't audit me, God's watching my work. And pleasing Him with my taxes is a part of my worship this week!