The Greed of Lower Taxes

I find it strange that so many religious Republicans support lowering taxes. They seem to feel that taxes promote a sense of entitlement in the poor, and they most commonly use 2 Thessalonians 3:10 as their support. This verse reads, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." The letters to the Thessalonians were written by Paul circa 51 AD. Around 12 years later circa 63 AD, Luke in Acts describes a much different Christian society than we live today. Acts 4:34-35 says, “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” So obviously the early Christians were not living in a capitalist society like us. They were all working for the common good not individual wealth creation like today.

I counter that the blind support for lowering taxes and the resulting decreased benefits to our society can also be considered a sin called greed. In fact, greed is one of the seven deadly sins. Take into account that many religious Republicans will also say, “the government should keep their hands out of my wallet.” I think this statement is an indicator of the potential greed. The Bible clearly teaches us that our money is not ours, but that it is God’s. “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours” (1 Chronicles 29:11). Also, the Bible says much about giving to the poor especially in the New Testament. However, here is a great example from the Old Testament, “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and for the alien: I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 23:22).

Some would still argue that individual generosity is the ideal approach to giving. I agree we should give as individuals, but is that enough? Today, we don’t have individuals harvesting the fields. Instead we have huge corporations such as ADM and Cargill harvesting the fields. Likewise, we can’t depend on individual contributions for our transportation and defense. Therefore, how could we possibly think that individual contributions are enough to address the needs of the poor today?

Many of my fellow Christians talk about the downfall of our society. However, these same people continue to undercut that society by reducing the services provided. Undoubtedly our society’s morals are reflected in our tax system. I agree that we should focus on efficiency, and I support lowering taxes if we can maintain the level of services provided to the under-privileged. My concern is that as public funds diminish we simply sacrifice compassion. As a result, the efforts to lower taxes appear to be greedy and not socially just.

Apr.22.2007.

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