Sin Taxes

'Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.' 1 Samuel 15:24 (ESV)

And the command of the Lord was this, ‘I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’” 1 Samuel 15:2-3.

But Saul, on his own authority responded to God's command in this way; ' But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.' 1 Samuel 15:9.

Then God regretted having made Saul king and Samuel was angry and he cried all night to the Lord. What was Saul's response to it all, he had listened to the people. His justification was that they had planned to use the animals as sacrifices to the Lord.  Then he said to Samuel, ^'Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.' 1 Samuel 15:25. The king maker was about to be the king breaker.

Being made king by God, whom shall you set out to please Saul? Whom shall you fear? God? He was the source of power that placed you there. He was the One True God and all knowing of the future with Esther and Haman in mind. Wasn't that tribe a constant threat to God's people? People pleaser. Now whom will you please?

Couldn't we say the same thing about some politicians and government officials today? It is so easy to aim to please people, the voters and the financial backers. That high office should have a higher calling. People in government authority are still put there by the power of God. Wouldn't it be wise for them to follow Godly principles in governing the people? Look at what officials have done to this country lately by listening to the people instead of God. The concept of morals are declining everywhere. The public debt is unsustainable. Why no church and state?

Tax the sin. Lotteries are justified because some of the money from the sales of lottery tickets goes to fund school programs. Hypocrisy and contemporary culture are two things that seem to go hand in hand these days. Why would state or federal governments condone sin and justify it by taxing it? Sin tax on the lottery, liquor, tobacco, gambling, and pornography sales are ear marked for so many good causes like planting beautiful gardens and scenic spots. What could be wrong with that?

Evil business cover up is all that it is. No amount of tax collected could ever cover the costs to the public that these sins bring to the country in the long run. Sin taxes. It is morally wrong, but the government justifies it anyway, just as Saul did, because it's what the people want. Sin never ends well. Low motivation Saul, low motivation politicians. People pleasing Saul, people pleasing politicians. We need a leader that is a God Pleaser. We need more ministry leaders like Samuel. That won't compromise the message in the pulpit just to get attendance up or to get along with everyone.

Whenever I disobey God it is so easy to blame someone else. I can come up with some pretty pious reasons for being on the wrong side of the right thing to do. I know that sometimes I do the wrong thing just to make myself look good to others. I know that sometimes I do the wrong thing just to get what I want. This is wrong. This is when I repent to the Father.

Dear Father.  Forgive me for I have sinned against You. Place in me a new heart. One that seeks to obey You and not man. One that takes responsibility for my own actions and that won't justify my sins or place blame on another or just try to get along. I am Your child. You call me Your friend. I choose to love You and to obey You.Thank you Jesus for taking my punishment on the cross for my sins. In Jesus's name. Amen.
 
Source: Biblegateway.com; Biblehub.com. google.com.' History of Israel: 1 & 2 Samuel', J. Vernon McGee, 1991.

,