Taxes and Death
Certainty
It is said that in this world, there are two things that are certain -- death and taxes. I guess, for all of us, this goes without saying.
Both of these are tackled by the Gospel writers (see verses from the writings of Matthew below).
It is said that in this world, there are two things that are certain -- death and taxes. I guess, for all of us, this goes without saying.
Both of these are tackled by the Gospel writers (see verses from the writings of Matthew below).
Tax Season
Anyway, today I did my taxes as we do every year around this time. But what really hit me right now is that in just the last five months, as my wife reminded me, I have been to four funerals -- two close family members, one friend and the last, a sister of a friend.
Really, not in any other time has the idea of death and the fragility and the shortness of life has been so evident and totally real for me and my family.
As we are coping and mourning the lost of loved ones, and symphatizing with friends who also lost loved ones of their own, it is really a tough time. Indeed, we know several people who are battling cancer and other sicknesses and knowing that many others have already lost their battle to these scourge of the times.
Anyway, today I did my taxes as we do every year around this time. But what really hit me right now is that in just the last five months, as my wife reminded me, I have been to four funerals -- two close family members, one friend and the last, a sister of a friend.
Really, not in any other time has the idea of death and the fragility and the shortness of life has been so evident and totally real for me and my family.
As we are coping and mourning the lost of loved ones, and symphatizing with friends who also lost loved ones of their own, it is really a tough time. Indeed, we know several people who are battling cancer and other sicknesses and knowing that many others have already lost their battle to these scourge of the times.
Life Everlasting
Now, aside from death and taxes, one other thing that Scriptures also tell us that is certain, is everlasting life or the after life.
Jesus of Nazareth, the main subject of the bible have said many things about life everlasting.
And if you wish to know more about it, it really is a good time to read what He had to say about this from the writings of John, Luke, Mark (and Matthew).
Matthew 22:15-33 MSG
Paying Taxes
"That’s when the Pharisees plotted a way to trap him (Jesus) into saying something damaging. They sent their disciples, with a few of Herod’s followers mixed in, to ask, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion, and don’t pander to your students. So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? Do you have a coin? Let me see it.” They handed him a silver piece.
“This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”
They said, “Caesar.”
“Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”
The Pharisees were speechless. They went off shaking their heads.
Marriage and Resurrection
That same day, Sadducees approached him. This is the party that denies any possibility of resurrection. They asked, “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies childless, his brother is obligated to marry his widow and get her with child. Here’s a case where there were seven brothers. The first brother married and died, leaving no child, and his wife passed to his brother. The second brother also left her childless, then the third—and on and on, all seven. Eventually the wife died. Now here’s our question: At the resurrection, whose wife is she? She was a wife to each of them.”
Jesus answered, “You’re off base on two counts: You don’t know your Bibles, and you don’t know how God works. At the resurrection we’re beyond marriage. As with the angels, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. And regarding your speculation on whether the dead are raised or not, don’t you read your Bibles? The grammar is clear: God says, ‘I am—not was—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.’ The living God defines himself not as the God of dead men, but of the living.” Hearing this exchange the crowd was much impressed."
#WhenIDontUnderstand
Now, aside from death and taxes, one other thing that Scriptures also tell us that is certain, is everlasting life or the after life.
Jesus of Nazareth, the main subject of the bible have said many things about life everlasting.
And if you wish to know more about it, it really is a good time to read what He had to say about this from the writings of John, Luke, Mark (and Matthew).
Matthew 22:15-33 MSG
Paying Taxes
"That’s when the Pharisees plotted a way to trap him (Jesus) into saying something damaging. They sent their disciples, with a few of Herod’s followers mixed in, to ask, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion, and don’t pander to your students. So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? Do you have a coin? Let me see it.” They handed him a silver piece.
“This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”
They said, “Caesar.”
“Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”
The Pharisees were speechless. They went off shaking their heads.
Marriage and Resurrection
That same day, Sadducees approached him. This is the party that denies any possibility of resurrection. They asked, “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies childless, his brother is obligated to marry his widow and get her with child. Here’s a case where there were seven brothers. The first brother married and died, leaving no child, and his wife passed to his brother. The second brother also left her childless, then the third—and on and on, all seven. Eventually the wife died. Now here’s our question: At the resurrection, whose wife is she? She was a wife to each of them.”
Jesus answered, “You’re off base on two counts: You don’t know your Bibles, and you don’t know how God works. At the resurrection we’re beyond marriage. As with the angels, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. And regarding your speculation on whether the dead are raised or not, don’t you read your Bibles? The grammar is clear: God says, ‘I am—not was—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.’ The living God defines himself not as the God of dead men, but of the living.” Hearing this exchange the crowd was much impressed."
#WhenIDontUnderstand
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