‘ Stealing ‘

Posted on May 16, 2009 by theoldadam

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Is it alright to break the Commandment if we have enough people that agree on it?

Is it really breaking the Commandment to begin with?

Filed under: Stealing |

10 Responses

Ron, on May 16, 2009 at 4:13 pm said:

The video presents a popular sentiment that resonates with me on certain levels. Who likes to pay taxes…..not me Not to put too fine a point on it, but what are expectations? Have the government pass around an offering plate for a ‘love offering?’ Is not all tax, in some degree, a redistribution of wealth whether they are used to fund social programs or provide for national defense? We have read the following in Scripture: Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Submit to authority. Part of me wants to push back, but…

Cutting to the chase, are not governments put in place by God and given authority? Don’t see taxes as contra to “Thou Shall Not Steal.”

My tension….my taxes being used to fund abortion.

Never really thought about the relationship between Church and State much until recently. Perhaps I engage a callow self-promotion of my blog, but here are some of my simple, embryonic, and perhaps uninformed, thoughts on church and state:

http://ronclick.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/american-revolution/
http://ronclick.wordpress.com/2008/11/15/a-bit-conflicted/

Could ramble ad nausea, but I will refrain 😉

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theoldadam, on May 16, 2009 at 4:51 pm said:

Ron,

I do see your point, Ron.

Govts. are ordained by God and we ought follow the rule of law, unless that law is in opposition to God’s Word.

I know there was a time when U.S. Presidents and judges would not go along with Congress with respect to chartible giving from our tax coffers because it was forbidden by the Constitution.

National Defense, some would say, is really the only legitimate reason to tax the U.S. citizenry since that purpose is explicit in the Constitution.

It does rankle me, to have the government force people, at gunpoint, to help other people.

As Walter Williams said, “Helping people is praiseworthy and laudible , however forcibly taking other’s possessions for such purposes is despicable.”

Thanks, Ron!

btw – I checked out those links to your blog and found them very interesting and thought provoking.

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Curious, on May 17, 2009 at 5:12 am said:

I guess it all depends on where you open the book.

16 And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?”

17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to him, “Which?” And Jesus said,”You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness.

19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

20 The young man said to him, “All these I have observed; what do I still lack?”

21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 19:16-24

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theoldadam, on May 17, 2009 at 6:34 am said:

Curious,

Interesting verses that you cited from Holy Scripture.

I guess a lot depends not only where one opens the book, but also with what one makes of what it says where the book is opened.

Thanks for stopping by, Curious.

– Steve

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- Curious, on May 19, 2009 at 3:46 am said:
  
  I agree,
  
  How about that whole, “Rendering onto Caesar” thing?
  
  Reply
Nancy, on May 18, 2009 at 2:34 pm said:

So, when the offering plate is passed….do we just drop in a note that says…”I gave with my taxes!”

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- Nancy, on May 18, 2009 at 2:37 pm said:
  
  Or…would that be robbing God????
  
  Reply
theoldadam, on May 18, 2009 at 4:49 pm said:

Nancy,

I think a lot of that goes on if only in a subconsciously.

Robbing God is our default position. (I think)

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Jim Robertson, on May 18, 2009 at 6:38 pm said:

Taxation for provision of legitimate government services is the price paid for civilization. This is something few will disagree about. Exactions for redistribution of wealth on the other hand is THEFT. Calling it something else is a lie. Governments always want taxation to be as painless as possible because those who feel pain complain. Government depends on the support of the people;which is why half of the people are now supported by the government.

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Whatabout, on May 19, 2009 at 3:54 am said:

What about the whole, “Rendering unto Caesar” thing?

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