Tax Creativity

Posted: February 10, 2011 in Activities
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It is around that time of year.  Jackson-Hewitt and H&R Block are watching the traffic to their office increase and that goofy guy with the sign in front of Wal-Mart is begging me to come and get my tax return done by the Statue of Liberty.

Tax time is here again.

Of course, as a completely unpolitical person, I know little of what changes have been made to the tax codes in the past year.  I have been told that when a Democrat is in office, I can expect to pay more taxes, unless I am poor, at which point I can expect more on my return.  I am never sure whom to believe about these matters, but all of the tax accountants, software, and e-filing does raise a pretty interesting question.

Is it a sin to not pay your taxes?  I am not talking about the person who, literally, refuses to pay taxes that he/she rightfully owes.  I am talking about the person that creates beautiful tax shelters.  I am referring to the person that registers their vehicle in another location to avoid the taxes in their present location.  You cannot even imagine how creative some tax returns appear to be with all their deductions and credits.  With the thousands of pages of tax code, it is certain that there is a loophole for you.  But, is it wrong to seek out and exploit such loopholes?

Here are the facts:

  • According to the IRS, over 80% of Americans commit either tax fraud or tax evasion when they file their federal income tax return.
  • In Romans 13, Paul specifically addresses paying taxes.  He states that all authority is God-given.  Therefore, if you owe a tax, you should pay a tax.  He even refers to it as a matter of honoring God, akin to tithing.
  • A self-employed person is required to file an income tax return if they have grossed income over $400 in a given year.  But, the vast majority of babysitting, lawn mowing, and yard selling goes unreported.
  • In 2009 in the state of Kentucky, the number of traffic stops related to unregistered vehicles was greater than stops related to speeding, reckless driving, and failure to yield…combined.
  • In Matthew 22, Jesus addresses government taxation with the statement, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and to God that which is God’s”.
  • Based on the recent census, if every man and woman in the United States would pay the full burden of their federal and state taxes, the national debt would be reduced by almost 5% each year.

Hmm…that is all very interesting.  Of course, how much will it actually change the way I file my taxes?  That is the real question.  It is one thing to say that not paying taxes is harmful or even sneaky.  But, is it really a sin?  Will it keep me from eternity in Heaven?

What do you think?  Is this a sin?  Cast your vote now!

The Un-Apology

Posted: February 2, 2011 in Attitudes
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So, the Big Ten is over.  It is time to return to the unusual and random on IsThisASin.com.

I do have something interesting, though.  I am aware that the Bible is fairly clear on the area of forgiveness.  For the most part, I would say that forgiving other is a prerequisite of being forgiven by God.  But, I have always wondered about this one particular thing.

What if the person that you need to forgive isn’t sorry?

It always drives me crazy when people forgive someone for something they are not sorry about.  It’s almost like a slap in the face.  ”I know you think you’re right, but I forgive you for being so wrong” seems to be the message when this is done.  My favorite thing, when I am in a fight with someone, is forgiving them for being so ignorant.  It really isn’t forgiveness I am offering then.  It is insult.

Also, if God only forgives us when we seek His forgiveness, then does that mean we only have to forgive someone else when they seek our forgiveness?  The unapologetic ones in this world make this forgiveness thing pretty darn hard, you know.  I think it warrants further discussion.

Here are the facts:

  • Students at the 9/11 memorial celebration were advised to “forgive, but never forget” the attackers that murdered 2,973 people in 2001.
  • “To forgive and not to forget is like burying the hatchet with the handle sticking out.” – derived from a Garth Brooks lyric
  • Jesus, when facing His own death, cried out to His Father to forgive His murderers in Luke 23:34…as they were committing the act.
  • The vast majority (78%) believe that a person cannot be forgiven unless an apology is made (according to a Gallup poll).
  • When given a command from their Master to forgive, Peter inquired as to how many times he must forgive.  The answer?  Seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:22)
  • Ephesians 4 speaks very specifically about the bitterness that develops in the life of a person that does not forgive, though it does not mention the confession of the guilty party.

So, it would appear that forgiveness (in the Bible) is not a matter about the one needing forgiveness, but the person needing to forgive.  It is almost like God is saying, “They might not even accept your forgiveness, but you should give it anyway.”  If you think about it, the guilt of a situation weighs on both parties.  One must confess to be free of it.  The other must forgive to be free of it.  The real question is…

Am I going to wait for that other person to apology to be freed from this burden?  My answer would be an emphatic “No!”.

What do you think?  Is this a sin?  Cast your vote today!

The Big Ten – Green With Envy

Posted: January 25, 2011 in Attitudes, The Big Ten
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You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. – Exodus 20:17

We come to the end of our Big Ten series with a commandment that hits the mother load for most of us.  God commands us not to “covet” someone else’s property.  Not only that, He commands us not to “covet” their spouse, ox (job), donkey (car), servants (things that make life easier, such as electronics or appliances)…or anything!  Well, since I am not sure I have ever used the word “covet” in a sentence, it is quite possible that I have done this without even knowing it.  We have to get to the bottom of this.

Here are the facts:

  • The definition of “covet” – to desire something someone else has ownership of; to yearn for something that isn’t yours
  • The definition of “capitalism” – a free market economic system based upon private ownership to create a more competitive marketplace
  • Every example of covetous behavior (called by that name) in the Bible ends with the death of the envious person (Achan, Saul, Judas, Ananias and Sapphira), but one (Balaam); primarily because the covetous behavior led to more aggressive sinfulness.
  • Geoffrey Chaucer features seven deadly sins in The Parson’s Tale.  Of those sins, an overwhelming 86% of American college students voted “envy” as the sin they struggle with the most (over pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, and sloth).
  • The top two rules of commercial advertising (according to Forbes) are:  1.  Find need and satisfy it;  2.  If the need is already satisfied, point out that their neighbor has it satisfied better.

So, it seems that our American society is somewhat at odds with our 10th commandment.  Not only that, it appears that human nature, in general, doesn’t function well under the “Covet” rule.  In fact, when looking at the book of Genesis, all of the first known sins began with envy.  Lucifer wanted to be above God.  Adam and Eve thought God was trying to deprive them of the best fruit.  Cain was jealous of his brother finding favor with God.  The list goes on.  This “covet” thing is dangerous.

But, what is a person to do when every commercial on television is designed to make them envious?  How can we stop “wanting” something?  How do we know when our “want” has turned into “covet”?  Where is the line?

What do you think?  Is this a sin?  Cast your vote now!

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