Tithes and Taxes

Today I encountered a fascinating info bit in my inbox.  It was a sample of next issue of Sojourners, a Christian magazine I have subscribed to for decades.  Says Bill McGibbon, in one of the articles in that issue, "The Rich Shall Destroy the Earth",

An Oxfam study released this fall showed that between 1990 and 2015—a period when we poured more carbon into the atmosphere than in all of history before that time—the richest 1 percent of humanity accounted for more of that damage than the entire bottom 50 percent of the species. In case you think that the top 1 percent is Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, remind yourself that in fact it’s anyone whose income tops $109,000 a year—that includes plenty of readers of this magazine. The richest 10 percent of humanity accounts for half of total emissions—that’s everyone whose income is above $38,000. That’s quite likely you; it’s certainly me. (January, 2021)

Before I had even formulated some self-righteous thoughts about my millionaire friends, McGibbon's finger was already pointing at me. In fact one of my permanently memorized Bible verses already in mind,  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)  I am one of those with at least a bit more than the $38000 even in retirement income.  Most of my friends and I are spewing out at least 1/2 of the carbon! [Actually I wonder, is my son, who also fits this income bracket and drives a Tesla, also in this category?  What about electric cars?  Just a thought. 😀]

Anyway, main point here, two sentences into this, and my telephone rings.  It is a volunteer from one of our political parties checking in on me (Read looking for a year-end contribution).  I assure her, yes I am still a supporter, no I do not agree with total party platform, no I will not provide the year-end donation she is suggesting, yes I will make a smaller donation after we have given attention to several charities including our church and it will not be processed right now, but after due discernment in about two weeks!  With just a hint of disappointment she thanks me and I thank her for her hard work!

This provides some grist for my thinker.  I spoke with some confidence to the political volunteer and I'm glad I spoke cheerfully.  But I find myself wondering about implications of this.  What is the most generous (and responsible) way of living these days?  Although she politely honored my statement of charity, I'm thinking I might have spoken with her a little more thoughtfully (although my wife reminds me that my brand of thoughtful often gets those solicitors going even more aggressively).  As a Christian I am in fact committed to supporting God's work, including help for the poor, hospitality to strangers, emergency assistance, salaries for clergy, spiritual ministries, etc. etc.  Also as a Christian and a citizen of this Canada on this Turtle Island in this North America on this planet earth, I must also "consider Thy heavens,... the moon and the stars" (Psalm 8).  Is it adequately contained in one little word, charity? No. There are charities and there are charities. Some spend most of their time fundraising and appealing rather than doing the work they claim. In those cases my donations would be ill advised, naive even. Those dollars would be better utilized in the coffers of a political party seeking to provide a type of government I believe in, one that is respectful of the land and also the Indigenous who were here long before us settler Christians  moved in.  Upon review, indeed it was not necessary for me to explain all this to the solicitor, but that is what is required of me!  Yup, another Bible verse, And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly^[a] with your God. (Micah 6:8). 

Of course there are excellent charities as well, those that serve in a caring and noble fashion to the least of these, as our Lord Jesus once said (eg Matthew 25). Indeed they are the ones that must have priority. Many considerations for anyone who desires to live a grateful charitable life.  

Then also, says my thinker, don't forget your taxes!  Politicians who successfully form governments have appealed to people on basis of how they plan to utilize the taxes which citizens are expected to pay.  Although many historical variations of government selection (yes!), the accompanying reality of taxes has been there forever, so it seems.  In the New Testament we have Jews contracting to collect the Romans' taxes (aagh Matthew, Zachaeus).  In early patristics we have Christians and Muslims upholding identities and territory via taxes and military. Then into the Middle Ages and on into 16th Century there is Reformation reordering of church-state and required taxes.  And into contemporary, you know the saying ... death and taxes!

This is not an historical overview, not at all.  Just a little context for taxes. In conclusion, now I cannot but make reference to my people - my faith tradition (humbly of course 😉). Those who read most of my posts - especially the most recent including some critique of the church - please note this is nonetheless an old fashioned positivity!  Yes, even if self-described grumpy, I do speak positively about our simple version of church.  Mennonites are known for discipleship more so than accuracy of theological articulation. This means that our faith must always be more obvious in things we do than in the things we articulate or explain.  Actions do speak louder than words.  In fact one of my elder brothers says it this way, "Always preach good news. And if necessary, use words."  Historically, our actions based on loving the neighbor rather than killing, have often led to resisting the military or withholding war taxes. It is a prophetic vantage from which I still practice my stewardship and Christian convictions.  Furthermore, I also affirm another feature of Anabaptism (forebears of the Mennonites), and that is group discernment.  Although this principle is waning in today's urbanizing individualistic society (read some of my previous posts!), we still believe there is great wisdom in community.  So as my closing thought, here comes a modernist suggestion from this old Mennonite.  Not sure of where your charity or tax dollar should go?  Ask your neighbor, whether s/he belongs to your church or not. The conversation may in fact be more important than the decision reached.  And whether your dollar ends up in the church or in the political coffers may not be as important to our Creator as the condition of the heart, and also our mother earth will breathe easier.

If need be, and perhaps in review, here are a few more scriptures to help it along. Whether on taxes or charities, why not start a conversation with anybody you know on one or both of these scriptures.

“So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)

 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)