Thoughts?
Monday, March 15, 2010
IRS, Social Security and Christ
On his blog Justin Taylor has a link to a very interesting article on Christian ministers opting out of social security. The article also references an article on the same subject by a professor at my school. I have not thought about this issue much, but it's about time I do so, especially seeing that two men I respect are so adamently opposed to ministers opting out, going so far as to call opting out dishonoring the name of Christ and the Scriptures.
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7 comments:
As I read the article, my thoughts were rather cut and dry. Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to the Lord what is the Lord's....pay your taxes. There are a couple of reasonings by which I came to that: 1) Responsibility and Obedience- first to obey Jesus by heeding His words (Luke 20:21-26, Romans 13:7). 2) Generosity- SS helps supplement the income of the elderly. It would be a largely inconsiderate task to assume a position of moral opposition against this purpose of the SS tax. 3) Accountability- I cannot fully understand what one man may mean by his protesting to pay this tax by accepting the escape clause in good conscience. But, he should be able to defend his position to the most adamant Christ loving opposer of such action, and be able to hold onto his good conscience.
On another note: Kevin, I took your advice and ordered 'Tortured for Christ'. What a difficult read. Please be praying for me as I fight to live like God has made me to live.
As a minister, I didn't opt out, because I didn't have "religious objections" to receiving SS. When Jordyn (our daughter) was born so prematurely, we received SSA payments and Medical Assistance to help cover the enormous medical bills and the costs associated with her care after she came home from the hospital. When it came time to make the decision to "opt out" or "not to opt out", I had to be honest and say that I had no "religious objection" to receiving the help when we needed it with Jordyn. Therefore, I stayed in.
I'm not sure if I can issue a blanket statement that no one should opt out because there are no "religious objections" to SS. All I can say is that I had none.
I do agree that your integrity is more important than a tax break, though. If you have no religious objection, you should not opt out . . . the law is pretty clear . . . and so is the Word "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority" - I Peter 2:13
My thoughts, specifically for you Matt, are that you should not opt out. The gospel is where your heart is and your faith is in Jesus, not in your money or the government.
I think that if you take a stand against Social Security, one of two things will happen: 1) you will really truly have a religious ground against it; but that means your energies are misplaced, being extended against the government and not for the gospel; or 2) you will just be saying so in order to save money, which is dangerous as it is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10).
For you, in regards to this issue, I don't think there's much to think about.
Brilliant gentlemen! I am in agreement. I have no real objection to the tax. Therefore, I don't have much to think about.
Oh crap...that was Matt and his incredible technological prowess...
While I don't have the time at the moment (It's Easter Sunday...Praise Him as we remember) I'd like to respond to this in length. While I do not hold a position that everyone should opt out I'm going to have to say I personally don't agree with the stance you all have chosen. That's not to say that your wrong, just that I don't hold the same position...more to come when I have more time.
As you respond, N.J., simply keep in mind what is necessary in order to opt out: a legitimate conscientious objection. Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
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