April 15th came and went and so did our tax dollars!  Many people wait until the last minute to file their taxes because they may owe taxes and just don't want to let go of that hard earned money.  Some people file early to get it out of the way or because they are expecting a refund and want their money back as soon as possible.  Others seek out a qualified tax preparer to do them for a small fee.  Some people do their own taxes since software has been made available to the public and taxes can now be electronically filed with the IRS directly.

One thing is certain: taxes are to be paid.  It doesn't always seem fair, though, the rate they charge.  But there is nothing new about this.  The tax collectors back in Jesus' day collected more from the people than what was accurately owed.  "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed."

Jesus was asked if it was lawful for people to have to pay taxes.  He took a coin, which had Caesar's image inscribed on it and told them, :Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. (Luke 20: 21-25)

The idea of collecting taxes goes back as far a the Egyptian Pharaohs taxing cooking oil! All through history taxes have been laid on the people of countries to fund wars and pay national debts.  Progressive taxation originated in 1629.  To pay for their part in the war with Napoleon, the British invented a tax that is known today as the income tax.  The tax was repealed when opponents questioned the financing of the war.  All records of the tax were to have been destroyed except copies were saved and so it is today that it continues.  They should have burned every copy!