M
Mark 12:13-17
"And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius, and let me look at it.”16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” 17 Jesus said to them,“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him." -ESV as per esvbible.org
For those who are not familiar, 401C3 is a means by which a church organization (non-profits technically, but churches use it) can obtain tax exemption. However, it is commonly known that a church that sides with particular politicians during an election can lose their tax exemption.
1. Is not giving tax money to your government violation of "rendering to Caesar that which is Caesar's"?
2. Isn't it true that, at the risk of losing tax exemption (and other reasons), churches will often refuse to back particular candidates who are more ideal in an election?
"And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius, and let me look at it.”16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” 17 Jesus said to them,“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him." -ESV as per esvbible.org
For those who are not familiar, 401C3 is a means by which a church organization (non-profits technically, but churches use it) can obtain tax exemption. However, it is commonly known that a church that sides with particular politicians during an election can lose their tax exemption.
1. Is not giving tax money to your government violation of "rendering to Caesar that which is Caesar's"?
2. Isn't it true that, at the risk of losing tax exemption (and other reasons), churches will often refuse to back particular candidates who are more ideal in an election?