Frauds

Good day. Today we are posting Frauds, written November 12, 2008. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this writing. ***You can download a copy of the writing for personal use only by clicking on the Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 2008.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008
 
Frauds
 
Romans 13:1-6 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (5) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. (6) For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (KJV)
 
You know, many just think of God’s people as those that attend a church organization or someone who is preacher or pastor. But God ordained services that are being used by many Christians and then it gets overlooked by many that decide they are above the law and don’t need to pay their taxes for them. That road you drove in on today, that water faucet you turned on in your building, as well as that toilet you flushed, these services were put in by people, laborers, and they deserve their reward don’t they? That police officer that went into a dark alley or house to protect the citizens, isn’t his labor worthy of reward? Not to mention all the men and women who gave up their family life and went to a foreign country to protect us, they definitely are worthy of their reward. So why do Christians cut and run; duck their obligations to pay taxes when the Bible tells us to? There is not a bigger bunch of money grubbing people with their hands out to the congregation is there, than the pastors or preachers of these so called church organizations we see out there today? With this in mind, are they doing their part as well or are they just a bunch of frauds?
 
James 5:4-6 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. (5) Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. (6) Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. (KJV)
 
Oh, but we will demand our tax free status, how does that sound? Fine, then don’t call the police or fire departments if you have a problem, deal with it yourself. Frauds and phonies, especially those in the pulpits who twist and turn the laws to fit their own desires and then demand that everyone else pay their fair share, especially when it comes to their own upkeep. You have people out there working the field and you are taking advantage of it, and as Christians we should be setting the example for all and not ducking or shirking our responsibilities. When there is smoke coming from your building, who is the first ones you call? If someone is breaking into your building, who are the next ones you call? How about when our military people return home, especially those that have sustained wounds and need treatment; if we as Christians don’t lead by example and pay our tribute or taxes, then who will? You cheapskates and phonies, all these tax exempt statuses you hide behind are nothing more than a cloak of your covetousness, which the Bible says is idolatry.
 
Leviticus 19:11-13 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. (12) And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. (13) Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. (KJV)
 
Whether you realize it or not, especially those that live in this country, many services are done on our behalf that require maintenance, and by not paying your fair share in the form of taxes you are robbing and defrauding your neighbor. You may not think so, and you may think just because others are doing it that it makes it alright, but unless you do all things according to what the Word says then it is not alright in the Lord’s sight.
 
Jeremiah 22:13-14 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; (14) That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion. (KJV)
 
You know, if everyone did and paid their fair share we wouldn’t have the problems we see going on today would we; you know, like with bank failures and bailouts? Who better than to lead by example than the Church? But sad to say, rather than being leaders many are passing the buck, leaving it for others to take care of . Whether you like it or not, the Bible is quite clear on where God stands concerning tribute, paying our fair share so that we can stay in good standing with our Lord and He can be our source. Once you try to sidestep your duties as a Christian, once you try to cut corners and not do what is required, you then take the Lord out of the equation and He no longer is your source, which is why many look for loopholes and other means to make up for their shortfalls.
 
Titus 3:1-2 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. (KJV)
 
Yeah, you may not like some of the wasteful spending we see at times, or how the rich just seem to be getting richer and the poor poorer. It is not our duty to fuss and argue with those of the world, because quite frankly nothing is going to change until our Lord returns and sets things right again. So for now, don’t get entangled with the affairs of this life, but rather do what the Lord is asking so that you can be above board and in good standing with Him.
 
Williams New Testament translation of Romans 13:1-6  
1. Everybody must obey the civil authorities that are over him, for no authority exists except by God's permission; the existing authorities have been established by Him, 2. so that anyone who resists the authorities sets himself against what God has established, and those who set themselves against Him will get the penalty due them. 3. For civil authorities are not a terror to the man who does right, but they are to the man who does wrong.  Do you want to have no dread of the civil authorities?  Then practice doing right and you will be commended for it. 4. For the civil authorities are God's servants to do you good.  But if you practice doing wrong, you should dread them, for they do not wield the sword for nothing.  Indeed, they are God's servants to inflict punishment upon people who do wrong. 5. Therefore, you must obey them, not only for the sake of escaping punishment, but also for conscience' sake; 6. for this is the reason why you pay your taxes, for the civil authorities are God's official servants faithfully devoting themselves to this very end. 7. Pay all of them what is due them -- tribute to the officer to receive it, taxes to the officer to receive them, respect to the man entitled to it, and honor to the man entitled to it.
 
I don’t care what label you put on yourself or your organization, it is the duty of each and every Christian to pay tribute or taxes as long as they are here, like it or not. Because by not doing it you have violated God’s law, and are now considered frauds.

​Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.