Two things are for certain: death and taxes
Tax Time!
I thought we just got through with that…it sure does come around regular, but I realize that there are a number of ways to set up your taxes and a lot of folks do it differently, but I still have to deal with the April 15 deadline.
Life sure gets tedious, don’t it! I am afraid that I procrastinate and wait until the last minute to do our taxes, but they always get done. Seems like everything has a tax anymore and every year they are more expensive and getting higher. An unwanted tax was one of the starting catalysts for America to declare its independence from England. “Taxation without representation!”
This sparked the Boston Tea Party where patriots dressed as Indians boarded an English frigate and dumped its cargo of tea over the side into the briny foam. No, I wasn’t there, but don’t you know they had fun!
I am sure that no one likes taxes of any kind, but they are necessary to help pay the bills for things that make our lives easier. I am a strong believer that everyone should pay their fair share, but that does not happen! Some pay few if any taxes at all while it seems that some are saddled with more than their fair share.
Today, the tax laws have gotten so convoluted that only a Philadelphia lawyer has a chance of making heads or tails from them. The more money you make, the more tax loop holes open up. No one thinks they are being treated fairly!
This is what Jesus had to say about taxes when the Pharisees tried to get Him to say something that would incriminate Him and allow them the opportunity to arrest and prosecute Him. And Jesus answering said unto them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
This passage is found in Mark 12:17. It has been said, “You only have to do two things in this life, die and pay taxes!”
Well, I expect there is probably a few more necessities than that, but the tax burden can get “purty hard to tote!” So, I guess that we just have to grin and bear it.
A poet once penned these words as a conclusion to his poem, “Put these words upon my tomb,
“Taxes drove me to my doom!”
Evan when I’m gone, I can’t relax,
‘Cuz they’ll still be after the inheritance tax!
My Ol’ Daddy always said, “Ain’t it strange that tax month starts with “April Fool’s Day” an’ ends with folks ashoutin’ “May Day!”
ODE TO TAXES
The old rancher rode slowly down the street;
stopped his pony at the saloon.
Figgered to get some relief from the heat
an’ still make the bank afore noon.
He slapped his dusty hat against his thigh,
looped his reins aroun’ the hitch rail.
It had been a long day an’ he was dry
from ridin’ that dang dusty trail.
Stepped inside, squinchin’ his eyes almost shut.
He howdied an’ called for a drink,
then sat an’ listened to the scuttlebutt.
This stirred his mind an’ made him think.
Folks was raisin’ cane ‘bout payin’ their tax
an’ nobody was in a good mood;
seems like the guvmint was on all their backs.
Guess folks was treated purty rude.
Soon he got a far off look in his eye
like he had something in his craw.
This old gent began to philosophy,
straight out, he did not gee nor haw.
“They’ve been around forever, I expect,
this scourge of the land called tax.
An’ I reckon as I sits an’ reflects,
we won’t get a chance to relax.
In fact, time steady marches right along
whether we work or sip our brew.
You’ve got to decide what is right or wrong,
‘cuz the tax man demands his due.
Why, even Ol’ Joseph trailed to Bethlehem.
Caesar said he must pay a tax.
Here, Jesus was born to Mary an’ him,
an’ folks, you know all of them facts.
Onect our brave forefathers faced a tough time
as tyrants forced their tax once more.
An’ those patriots, so gallant an’ prime,
took a stand to defend our shore.
An’ we’ve met other problems through the years,
developin’ our history.
But brave heart an’ the Good Lord stilled our fears
to give us this “land of liberty.”
So, I reckon we just ain’t got no gripes.
Tho we got taxes, we live free.
That’s why we wave that flag with stars an’ stripes,
singin’ “My country ‘tis of thee.”
So fellers, you always keep that in mind
when the dang tax day rolls aroun’.
Step up! Don’t get yore drawers all in a bind,
pay them taxes without a frown.
Then, you can stand proud, honest, an’ true
when yore talkin’ to the Good Lord,
as yore thankin’ Him fer what he give you.
An’ that, my friend, is yore reward!
© Ol’ Jim Cathey
Join us Sunday morning at First Baptist Church Marlin to worship our Lord and Savior,
God bless each of you and God Bless America!