Federal Rebate
"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
The government is giving us money to spend on the economy. You spur a good discussion with your questions, but this money should be spent on (preferably) American made goods, Consumer Electronics, etc.
If you truly have an internal debate over this subject, make a purchase that fills one of those requirements and is educational or promotes community, like, for instance, a Ninentendo Wii or a new computer with learning games for your kids.
Suggesting that we should feel some how guilty over what our Elected Leaders (no matter what we think of them ethically, etc...remember Jesus’ words) have decided as most wise for our economic future is foolishness.
If you're asking me the difference between tithing money from a job that God provided for me (and praise God that he provided the one I have) and this money, it is as clear as Matthew 22:21.
Thanks for your thoughts, Nate.
Good comments, Alex. I appreciate the feedback.
I do need to clarify something. My intention was never to guilt people into spending their federal rebate in any sort of fashion. In fact, I believe that my response to the problem was too narrow and lent itself to placing judgment on people instead of exciting them to live exemplary lives in the complexities of American culture.
Scripture should always be informing and shaping our lives into the image of Christ and so you were right to challenge me with the Word of God. But when the Scriptures are appropriated to a certain application of Christian faith, I believe there needs to be due diligence. Contextually, this passage is fairly complex and needs some unpacking.
In my limited understanding, I notice a few things 1) The question comes from the Pharisees, and is therefore lacking in its desire to submit to Christ, and is full of arrogance and wicked initiative. 2) This passage is specifically about taxes 3) This passage is ultimately about allegiance.
Without too much deliberation, I believe that Jesus was saying a few things. One is that He was not a rebel, He was not about to start some anti-social/political revolution that would overthrow the Roman government. He was willing to abide peacefully within His culture. So, He would pay taxes, ie Give to Caesar what is Caesars!
But, He was also saying, if you belong to God, ie Give to God what is Gods then you owe your allegiance to Him. So, my question here is, what does it mean to owe our allegiances to Christ when it comes to an economic stimulus program generated by the federal government? Is it, in fact, foolish to suggest that we use our money in a way that transcends the worlds understanding of economy and does greater good? Which brings me to my second sub-section. This is wicked long, I am sorry.
So, as Alex suggested, this money ought to be spent in a way that stimulates the economy. I believe that as Christians there is a way to do exactly that, and which will also achieve far reaching effects for this community.
What if, Christians all over the Lehigh Valley spent their money in depressed communities, mom and pop stores, local businesses, instead of putting that money back into the hands of major corporations. So, in effect, dont spend this money at the Promenade, they dont need it. Or what if Cornerstone rebate qualifiers pooled their money together and saved it so that we could buy goods from local businesses to give away? Christmas gift for low-income families, supplies for the homeless shelters, food for soup kitchens! What an opportunity!
In summation, I am not suggesting spurning the government, although it would not be sinful to spend my money on the homeless since they have not mandated that I spend my money in any way. So, I ask our community, how can we spend this free money in a way that will make unbelievers stand at attention and ask us why in the world did we do that, because that doesnt make any sense to them.
More feedback, please.
Edited by Member Deleted on 3/11/08
I, too, would like other people's thoughts on the matter.
Nate brought up three points regarding this passage: 1) The question comes from the Pharisees, and is therefore lacking in its desire to submit to Christ, and is full of arrogance and wicked initiative. 2) This passage is specifically about taxes 3) This passage is ultimately about allegiance.
1) It’s worse than you thought…The Pharisees send their lackeys (probably because they knew that Jesus would hand them their tunics with a verbal lashing) and Herodians come along just to poke fun… Regardless, I think we can answer the point through verse 22, which says "When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away."
I believe that in spite of of their initial intentions, they A) listened, B) comprehended, and C) were speechless by his response.
In other word, Christ didn’t let them leave unaffected.
2) The second point is about taxes, but Christ uses a coin as his object lesson, making this conversation and the passage that much more applicable.
3) The last point is a good one, but as I said in my previous post, I think there is a huge difference between this money and the money from a job that God provided for us.
Here’s an example: I wouldn’t necessarily tithe against an inheritance I received or a birthday gift, so why would I do so with this money, especially when the government HAS given us a directive to what they’d like us to do with this money: (from MSNBC.com)
“President Bush and his aides know precisely what they want you to do with that money: Shop ‘til you drop. After all, consumer spending represents more than two-thirds of economic activity in the United States, so the fervent hope is that Americans will rush out and buy stuff.â€
And to complete my thought, I think this passage is much more about submission than it is allegiance. Of course my allegiance is to Christ, but that doesn’t make me happy about paying taxes. No, I submit to the government and their rules because that is what Christ has directed me to do. Submission to the government through submission in Christ.
So I feel that I am doing a service to my government by reinvesting the money they’ve given me back into the economy as they have directed.
So then it’s all about the “How†we reinvest…
I guess my point to you is that if you could show me the clear large scale economic effect that spending money at mom and pop shops on low quality goods would have, then I’m all ears, because everything that I’ve read has said otherwise.
Perhaps I need a dose of altruism or kingdom enlightenment, but the primary purpose of receiving this money from the government is for economic stimulus and if you find a way to better your community, then all the better. But the implication is that if I decide to purchase a flat screen TV for my house, I’m some how less kingdom minded. I think that’s unfair.
(Side Note that I need to fit in somewhere) To be frank, I’m not sure we should get all warm and fuzzy and pat ourselves on the back if we give away money that we didn’t really do anything to earn in the first place. Go out and make 500 bucks this week and then give it away, then talk to me about fuzzy feelings. Something I am not prepared to do myself, for the record.
So then WHERE do we spend our money?
Wal-Mart is better option than mom and pop shop.
Here is the reasoning:
Because of the global impact of the Wal-Mart Company, its sales and revenues are considered an important consumer index on spending. Lay man’s speak: Economists look at how sales are doing at Wal-Mart and make predictions based upon their success. Because Wal-Mart’s revenue is in the billions, if they show signs of slowing, the government makes decisions to spur growth.
Why Wal-Mart? Because it is a one stop shopping super center. They offer low cost, quality goods and millions of people consider their primary place of shopping.
This being the case, it is also one of the biggest job creating companies in the U.S…so if Wal-Mart is doing poorly, the US economy is effected and then people start getting laid off.
So I propose buying goods at Wal-Mart, preferably high ticket goods to drive Wal-Mart sales, thus keeping people employed.
And if you want to do something altruistic, give away your purchase at the door to someone.
Maybe my words might rub some people the wrong way, but I’m not one to get caught up in feigning “kingdom†when things don’t need to be. Maybe that’s wrong too.
I just think that I listen to a dentist when I have a tooth ache; I listen to my pastor when I have a spiritual question, and barely understand when economists talk about an economy that needs help. I feel that way especially when I feel Jesus’ teachings clearly point to what I should do. Matt 22:21-22
And just a note about the author (me), I’m probably much more comfortable writing/talking about potentially sticky subjects than most. I like the tension in ways because we’re talking/writing about subjects that were once taboo and off limits. The more we talk and discuss the less it stings.
This kind of dialogue is healthy and certainly Nate knows that about me, so just in case you thought this was in need of a prayer chain or something…
Just my $.02
So much to say, so little time to say it in.
Also, I am not going to make any more comments unless someone chimes in. It's not much of a forum unless someone unless has something to say. Otherwise, Alex and I can talk about this over dinner next week!
Good thoughts, Alex. We always have been polar opposites, so keep it coming!
Love you brother!
Edited by Member Deleted on 3/12/08
Where else do you find a place to communicate and learn in such a way?
Bible Studies? no
Sunday Morning Sermons? no
Where then?
I think debate is a wonderful gift given by God to help us learn from each other.
I am inspired by Nate's desire to do good with something like a Federal Tax Rebate, and hopefully I can take that with me.
If I am like a candle, this conversation is like one more dip in hot wax. It is one more layer to help me grow more spiritually "thick".
Love you too buddy.
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on 3/10/08 Member Deleted wrote:
Edited by Member Deleted on 3/10/08