Deep in the Heart of Taxes

©Millie McNabb

I’ve been working on taxes today. What better place to practice your Christian values?

Jesus used many illustrations about money, and some involved taxes. The religious leaders were trying to trick Him and asked if it was lawful for them to pay taxes. Jesus had one of those answers you wish you had every time. He had them look at a coin and tell him whose picture was on it. “And He said to them, ‘Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's’." (Luke 20:25)

However, there is no need to pay Caesar more than his due. With careful planning and good recordkeeping, there are taxes you can avoid. Here’s an illustration about tax avoidance (which is legal) and tax evasion (which is against the law) to keep in mind as you prepare your taxes.

If you were traveling and the shortest road to your destination was a toll road, you could choose to pay the toll and take that road. If you drove past the toll booth without paying, that would be against the law, as is tax evasion. However, if you choose instead to take a different road that does not have a toll, but gets you to the same destination, that is entirely lawful, as is tax avoidance.

As you do your taxes, you have Christian parenting opportunities to model your attitude. As your children get older, you can involve them in sorting receipts. Your homeschool could include lessons between what is or is not a deductible expense. If you also have a home business, involve your children in identifying business expenses.

Did you get your taxes done early or you down to the wire?

God bless….

Millie McNabb, founder of Christian Values Legacy, offers parenting seminars that focus on passing on your Christian values. Request your free report “Considerations for Intentionally Raising Children to Become Christian Adults” today at www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com.