The Privilege Is Mine

Yes, it’s time for taxes. We all groan. We gather all the documents that represent our life last year.

This year I had my “Aha” moment as I was taking my files to my tax guy. Really, I did. I do hate the process of gathering the papers, receipts, and 1099’s, and W2’s and WD40’s (Just kidding about the WD40.) But gather I did because that’s what you do here in the United States of America.

It made me think of this story:

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.  And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”  But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?  Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”  They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away. Matthew 22:15-22

I realized that God puts us on this Earth at a certain time in history and a certain place. I happen to be a citizen of the United States of America in the year 2015 AD. My time and placement is not an accident. It was planned by God. I’m supposed to do something here that glorifies God. I’m supposed to make the most of this time in history. Part of this is to appreciate my spot on the globe in this year.

I think Jesus made the Pharisees realize this deeper level. It’s not about whom the political leader is for you, it’s about what you are doing for God in this placement. The Pharisees realized that were using the money available to them under the government in their spot on the Earth. But were they using the time available to them under God in their spot on the Earth?

That was my “Aha!” I remembered the song I sang in college; “Only one life, so soon it will pass. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” I’m here for a heavenly purpose at a heavenly time in a heavenly place. Yes, I will live under the rules of the place where I am. But, yes, I will fulfill my heavenly destiny.

So when the government says, “How about those taxes for last year spent with us?”

I say, “Certainly. It was my privilege.”

And when the Holy Spirit pricks my heart with, “How did you spend last year for God?”

I say, “Thank you for the time here. It was my privilege.”