Romans 13:6
For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
What of Today’s Verse…
Ouch! I hate taxes. But I have to admit, I enjoy many of the privileges and blessings that those taxes afford. Paul keeps reminding us in Romans 13 that civil authorities are God’s tools to hold back anarchy, chaos, and lawlessness. As a Christian, I’m immune to most laws because my faith in Jesus is going to regulate my behaviour far more strictly than a legal code. But I do have a responsibility (I owe it, Paul says) to be a good citizen, a good financial manager, a nice respectful neighbour, and a person who willingly honours those who have merited it.
Let us Pray:
Almighty God, I pledge allegiance to you. You alone are Sovereign, Ruler, and King. But because you call me to honour my government, because you have so richly blessed me to be in a land such as this, because you have lavished your grace on me so richly, I will live today in a way that honours my allegiance to you, my citizenship in my country, and my respect toward those whom I meet this day. In Jesus I pray. Amen.
Words of Wisdom
In becoming an enlightened being, this does not destroy the living being, or take it away, or lose it; nevertheless, it does mean having shed it.
No matter how bad a state of mind you may get into, if you keep strong and hold out, eventually the floating clouds must vanish and the withering wind must cease.
