Is it okay to cheat on our taxes (or tithes)?

April 15, which is colloquially referred to as “Tax Day” in the United States of America, is the official deadline by which each legal resident and citizen must file their tax records with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agency of the U.S. government. Some would need to pay the government the taxes they owe, while others would receive a return for taxes, that they have overpaid, to the government, over the course of the year. Either way, it is by April 15 annually that the tax records must be filed.

The apostle Mark records in chapter 12 verses 13 to 17, an interesting incident that occurred during the time of Jesus. Certain Pharisees and Herodians (both Jewish sects) sought to trap Jesus, in his words, and starting out with flatteries, question him, asking “Is is lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” They added, “Shall we give, or shall we not give?” In today’s context, this could be interpreted as “Should we pay taxes to the ruling government or not?” or in other words it could also be interpreted as “Is is okay to cheat on our taxes by not giving what we owe or should we give and not cheat?”

Jesus, knew of their hypocrisy, that if he answered affirmatively, they would brand him to be a traitor to his (Jewish) people, as they did of tax collectors (whom they branded as publicans at par or even lesser in status than sinners) and if he answered negatively, then they would brand him to be a rebel who goes against the Roman government. Jesus questioned, why do you attempt to tempt me  and asked his questioners to bring him a penny (a Roman coin) and they brought it to him. He asked “Whose is the image and the superscription?” on the coin to which they replied, “Caesar.” Jesus wisely replied, if the coin belongs to Caesar, then render it to Caesar and whatever belongs to God, that render to God.

In other words, Jesus was saying that “If you owe the government what belongs to the government, then pay your dues.” To falsify tax deductions with the goal of maximizing returns is cheating on taxes. But did you notice, Jesus did not limit his response to solely answering the question about taxes. He took it one step further and spoke about what was due to God (such as our tithes, our time, our talents, etc.), render to God. While some may think of Jesus’ response as a way to separate State (Taxes) and Church (Tithes, etc.), closer scrutiny actually reveals that Jesus was not divisive, but instead accommodative, for he brings matters of the State and matters of the Church together, under the same context. Just as it is wrong to cheat on our taxes, it is equally, if not more seriously wrong, to cheat on our tithes, time and talents. While it is possible for one who cheats on their taxes to get away with it and not face an audit, one can be sure that one can never get away from God the auditor, and will face an audit during which time, he/she must be able to answer the question – Should we give or should we not give?

Points to ponder:
Let us as children of God not cheat on our taxes, AND not cheat on our tithes, time or talents. Let us render our tax to whom it is due and let us render our tithes to God, to whom it is due. To give is an expression of loving and if you love God, you will give just as God who loved the world so much that he GAVE his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Before Jesus gave his life for all of mankind, including you and me, I thank God that he did not ask of his Father, “Should I give or should I not give?”

Mark 12:13-17 (KJV)
¹³ And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
¹⁴ And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
¹⁵ Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
¹⁶ And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.
¹⁷ And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

Holy life not Holey life

As followers of God (Ephesians 6:1), God has called us to be Holy because he is Holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

John Bunyan, Christian writer and preacher who is renowned for his acclaimed book, “The Pilgrim’s Progress” is attributed to have said “One leak will sink a ship: and one  sin will destroy a sinner.” True, it just takes one hole to sink a ship in the physical world. It is likewise in our spiritual life as well. God says through his prophet Ezekiel that the soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:4, 20) and all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). In other words, unless the Savior Jesus Christ, mends our holey (sinful) lives, we will sink in the miry pit of sin (Psalm 40:2) that will drown us in death (Romans 6:23).

Point to ponder:
While the grim message of God through the prophet Ezekiel was a proclamation of the death sentence on all mankind because that the soul that sins shall die, the sacrificial death of God’s Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, brings hope to this hopeless situation, for his death was for us, in our place. When we believe in Jesus Christ, God’s gift to us is eternal life (John 3:16).

God says, Repent and Remember and Return to me. Let us repent. In other words, let our message to Jesus Christ be SOS (Save Our Soul) for when we repent and confess with our mouths, he is faithful and just to cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). In other words, he is willing and will mend the holes in our life.

We are called to live a Holy life and not a Holey life. Let us live according to what God has called us to, for He is Holy.

1 Peter 1:14-16 (KJV)
¹⁴ As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
¹⁵ But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
¹⁶ Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Why Give or should I say why Love?

The Bible teaches us that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), but have you wondered as to what that means? The Bible states that happy are the people whose God is the Lord (Psalm 144:15) and from the Bible we also learn that God so loved you and me that he gave (John 3:16). The demonstrable expression of love is to give. In other words, if we love we give or we give because we love.

So why give or should I say why love? We don’t give because it makes us happy; we give because we are happy/blessed. In other words, we don’t love because we will be blessed; we love because we are blessed. We give because God first gave us his Only begotten son and salvation to all who believe in him (John 3:16). We love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19).

2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV)
⁷ Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

John 3:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

1 John 4:19 (KJV)
¹⁹ We love him, because he first loved us.

Mission 3:16

It is the 16th day of the third month March (3/16) and as I pondered on what to write, I realized that one of the most common and quoted verses in the Bible is John 3:16 which avers the greatest love story of all; For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I was also reminded of a song, I used to listen growing up, which was entitled “Mission 3:16″ by Carman and as I searched the Bible, the Holy Spirit of God taught me that besides the famous John 3:16 verse, we ought to look at verse 16 of the 3rd chapter of the first book (Genesis) and the last book (Revelation) of the Bible, as well.

Genesis 3:16 is the first curse being proclaimed on sinful man for their willful disobedience.
John 3:16  is the only cure for the curse, which we find in Jesus Christ.
But once we are cured/saved from death, by our belief in Jesus Christ,
Revelation 3:16 is the counsel by which we must live;  i.e., we must not be lukewarm in our lives toward God; we must do or die.

Carman aptly put the Revelation 3:16 mission in his song, ‘Mission 3:16′ as he sings:
We’re on, we’re on, we’re on a mission and we’ll go, where the brave dare to fly
We’re on, we’re on a mission, and we know, it’s a race, Do or die
To know Him and make Him known is our creed
Letting the fire be freed, Mission 3:16
We don’t know what we will find
Deep behind enemy lines
We are the called, We are the few
Ready to serve Him and willing to do

Genesis 3:16 is the result of man’s mission to be like God.
John 3:16 is God’s mission to save mankind.
Revelation 3:16 is man’s mission on earth after salvation; to not be lukewarm.

Points to ponder:
On this day (3/16), let us reflect on whether you/I are still under the curse of mankind, or have you/I believed in Jesus and are saved and if so are you/I lukewarm or not in our service to God.

Genesis 3:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

John 3:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Revelation 3:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

“I am” and “I AM”

Irish author St. John Greer Ervine is said to have remarked that the title of the book “What’s Wrong with the World” by G.K. Chesterton should really have been “What’s Wrong with the World, is G.K. Chesterton.” The reason for this comment purportedly stems from the following anecdote. Once, when the Times of London asked several of Britain’s leading intellectuals “What’s Wrong with the World”, the celebrated journalist Gilbert Keith (G.K.) Chesterton sent back a postcard that read: “I am.” Mr. Chesterton, a prolific author and reasoned apologist, who referred to himself as an ‘orthodox’ Christian is likely to have derived his laconic yet profound answer from  John 16:9 and James 1:13. John 16:9 states that the sin of the world is unbelief in Jesus Christ and James 1:13 states that every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.

You see, both you and I have no one else to blame but ourselves for the problem of sin. On our own we don’t stand a chance to address this problem. Only by grace and grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ can this problem be addressed. Jesus is the only solution to this universal problem.

Thanks be to God that when we have to respond affirmatively that “I am” what’s wrong with the world, Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, who died for our sins and took our penalty on himself, can respond affirmatively, that “I AM” who’s right with the world. Jesus is the Great I AM.

John 3:16-19 (KJV)
¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Jesus in the NT :: John

The book of John gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the  New Testament (N.T).

It was written by the disciple of Jesus named John whose name in Hebrew is Johanan meaning God has been gracious. While Luke portrays Jesus as the Son of man, John portrays Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus is the son of the Most High God; Son of the Highest (Luke 1:31-32). Infallibly, the way Jesus’ genealogy is recorded is NOT Yeshua ben Yousef  (Jesus the son of Joseph) but Matthew 1:16 stataes that Joseph was the husband of Mary of whom Jesus, conceived in her by the Power of the Holy Ghost was born, and called Christ (Messiah/Savior)

The ever familiar verse in John 3:16 reads For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ‘Only begotten Son’ means what? The word ‘only’ implies that there is no other; no other means to Salvation. The word ‘begotten’ implies that there is no distinction between God the Father and God that Son. See we were created (made) in the image of God, meaning that we are the creatures and God is the creator and there is a creator-created being distinction. In the case of Jesus, Jesus was not created, but begotten. To beget is to be the Son of … To be begotten is to have no distinction from the father. Jesus said, “I am the Father are One”

The crescendo of the coming of Jesus Christ is given in the good news in John 3:16, but the even greater news is this, as said in John 1:12-13
¹² But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Interestingly, John is the only Gospel that talks about rebirth (being born again as the children of God). The Son of God became the Son of man so that the sons/daughters of men could become the sons/daughters of God.

In John, Jesus is the Son of the Highest; the Most High God; The Only begotten Son of God.

Points to ponder:
Are you a son/daughter of God? If not, why not? All you have to do is believe and receive; believe on his name (Jesus Christ) and receive him (to be your Lord and Savior).

The Gospel in Song (during Super Bowl)

During the 2011 Super Bowl XLV halftime show, the Black Eyed Peas with R&B star Usher and former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, entertained millions by featuring the following setlist:
1. I Gotta Feeling
2. Boom Boom Pow
3. Sweet Child O’ Mine
4. Pump It
5. Let’s Get It Started
6. OMG
7. Where Is The Love? and
8. The Time (of our life)

One of the controversies before the game was that the ‘Look Up John 3:16′ ad was rejected to be aired during the Super Bowl game, but unbeknown to many, closer review of the events on this day, show that each song in this set list that was featured during the same Super Bowl game could be used with the other to unfold the very essence of John 3:16; God’s beautiful story for the Salvation to mankind. Continue reading for to see how.

We have been having  The Time (of our life) as in the time of Noah, ignoring and disobeying God’s commands and indulging in sinful wickedness, only to become a prisoner of a war (POW); a war between God and evil that began in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). I Gotta Feeling that there is something horrendously wrong with this sinful lifestyle of mine and I see that validated from the Bible, which states that the wages of sin is death (Boom Boom Pow). Oh My God (OMG), what can I do? is my cry. We have refused or rejected the Faith, and we do not have Hope nor Love. Where is The Love? I ask, and hidden in the Scripture (Bible), I hear God’s still soft voice, say, “I have sent you my Only Begotten Sweet Child O’ Mine, who is called Jesus Christ and all who believe in Him shall not perish (i.e., be  no longer a prisoner to death) but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Why did God do this? Because He loved each one of us very much. Jesus Christ was God’s response to man’s groaning and cry – Where is The Love? Jesus is God’s gift to mankind. For the wages of sin is death (Boom Boom Pow), but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). He sacrificed Himself so that we would not have to pay the penalty of our sin. His love for you made Him endure our Cross and He who knew no sin, was imputed our sin on Himself, separating Him from God, a agonizing experience in which He had to cry out OMG, OMG, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:45-46). God (the Father) forsook God (the Son) so that He would not have to forsake you and me.  To God be the glory! for this provision, He has made possible, through Jesus Christ, for the problem of our sin. All we need to do is accept this gift of God, by believing in Him. So Let’s Get It Started. Delay no further, for now is the accepted time; now is the day of [your] salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). And when we believe, let our lives change and let us love the Lord our God, with all our soul, strength, mind and heart and let us love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27). Let every pump of our heart (heartbeat) out-pour this story of God’s love for and to mankind. Let us Pump It (share) with those who have not yet heard it. Only then can we truly say that we are in deed having The Time of our lives.

‘Look up John 3:16′ ad was rejected but in the Song setlist is hidden the Gospel of Truth. There is no stopping God’s message. His Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11) and shall accomplish that which God pleases.

Point(s) to ponder:

If you have never accepted this free yet costly gift of God to mankind, then you can receive Him today.
A – Acknowledge the need you have for a savior.
B – Believe in Jesus Christ, God’s gift for the salvation of the world.
C – Confess with your mouth your sinfulness, for He is faithful and just to cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness.

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

John 3:16-17 (KJV)
¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Born Once, Die Twice; Born Twice, Die Once

‘Born Once, Die Twice’; ‘Born Twice, Die Once’ is the essence of the teachings of a Jewish carpenter, Jesus Christ, who is the only one known to have divided human history into two; before his death (B.C) and after (A.D).

All who are born in this world are conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5) and since the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23); physical birth (first birth) is subject to physical death (first death) and spiritual death (second death).

But when one believes and puts their trust in Jesus Christ, they are born again. This spiritual birth (second birth) ensures us that we will all have eternal life and that death (first or second) has no power or control over those who have accepted Jesus Christ, as their personal Lord and Savior. Unless, one is born again, they cannot see the kingdom of God; they cannot have eternal life (John 3:3,16)

Ye must be born again (John 3:7). Are you born again? Remember, ‘Born Once, Die Twice’; ‘Born Twice, Die Once’

John 3:1-21 (KJV)
¹ There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
² The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
⁸ The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
⁹ Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
¹⁰ Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
¹¹ Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
¹² If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
¹³ And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
¹⁵ That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
²⁰ For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
²¹ But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Romans 3:23 (KJV)
²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23 (KJV)
²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Cross-in Destiny

Recently I came across a painting called “Destiny” which I believe appropriately captures the intent of Christmas. It had the following words inscribed underneath it. “Most of us spend our lives seeking our destiny. One Man [Jesus] created His own. It began in a manger and led to a cross, and it included you. You too have a destiny, and someday … someday soon, your destiny will cross with His.”

Do you know what your destiny is and has it crossed with His [Jesus']? Without Christ Jesus and His cross, one has no destiny. Our destiny must cross in with His. His included you, does yours include Him?

John 3:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Image Source: Kingdom Galleries

Give Life For

Colossians 2:13 calls out two characteristics of the work of Jesus Christ, first the Quickener or the one who makes alive a.k.a. the Life giver and second the Forgiver.
What is interesting to note is that in these two functions of the work of God, we are revealed that Jesus Christ is a giver; a LifeGIVER and ForGIVER.

God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish (i.e, is FORGIVEN) but have eternal life (i.e., is GIVEN LIFE).
We are forgiven because Jesus was given for us!

Jesus GAVE His LIFE FOR us; the question that remains then is Can we Give Our Life For Him?

Colossians 2:13 (KJV)
¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened [made alive] together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;