“If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.” (Ecclesiastes 5:8-9)
King Solomon of Israel may have been the richest man who ever lived. He was also the wisest. In Ecclesiastes 5, he combines those two to describe all the ways in which money fails to truly satisfy anyone.
He starts with the problems of injustice and taxes. During this last campaign season, you heard candidates and political ads saying all kinds of things about poor people and taxes. No matter who won in your country or state or district, one thing won’t change: Making more money always means paying more taxes — even in countries where it leaves the people starving.
Money fails to satisfy because every level of government takes a bite — city, county, state, national. The intent in many countries is to use that money for the common good, but lots of it gets wasted along the way and people get hurt. No matter the century or the form of government, the more you make the more they take.
Think: Taxes aren’t always evil; they’re just one of the burdens that come with having money. What are some of the others?
Pray: Thank God that He provides for all of our needs, including the need to pay the taxes we owe.
Do: Ask someone who has a lot more money than you how they feel about paying taxes.