| Render Unto Caesar Should Christians Pay Taxes? |
Should Christians pay their taxes? YES! Paying your taxes is VERY biblical!
Any teacher who tells you otherwise is not teaching according to God's Word!
The Lord Jesus paid taxes. In Matthew 17:24-27, we read:
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money
came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes.
And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What
thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or
tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of
strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding,
lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up
the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt
find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Joseph, the step-father of Jesus, obeyed the law and paid taxes:
Luke 2:4-5 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he
was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child.
Most of the Jews of Jesus' day paid taxes. The Early Christians paid taxes.
We must obey the law of the land and pay taxes. The Bible clearly admonishes
us to obey the law:
1Peter 2:12-17 Having your conversation [means your behavior] honest
among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they
may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day
of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's
sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto
them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise
of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may
put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your
liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all
men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Most Christians do pay their taxes and most are honest but there are a choice
few professing christians who give great disservice to the Lord Jesus Christ.
KENT HOVIND
Popular controversial creationist, Kent Hovind, "Dr. Dino", was recently
convicted on 58 accounts of tax evasion. His wife was convicted of 44
accounts. What a shame!
According to the Pensecola News Journal: http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20061103/NEWS01/611030338/1006
Kent Hovind, founder of Creation Science Evangelism and Dinosaur Adventure Land in Pensacola,
was found guilty of 58 counts, including failure to pay $845,000 in employee-related taxes. He
faces a maximum of 288 years in prison.
Jo Hovind was charged and convicted in 44 of the counts involving evading bank-reporting
requirements. She faces up to 225 years in prison but was allowed to remain free pending the
couple's sentencing on Jan. 9.
Kent Hovind briefly held onto her arm as the verdict was read. Neither reacted at first. But minutes
later, she held her face in her hands.
"Nobody likes to pay taxes," Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer said in her closing
argument. "But we do because it's the law, and he is not above the law."
The jury also granted the prosecution's request for the Hovinds to forfeit $430,400. That amount
equals the value of the checks signed and cashed by Jo Hovind in the 44 counts.
The same article also stated that Hovind's wife was purposely withdrawing
certain amounts from their account, as not to be noticed by the IRS:
Any cash transaction at a bank more than $10,000 triggers a currency-transaction report forwarded
to the IRS. She was found guilty of using several methods to take out just enough money to avoid
triggering the report.
The Hovinds and their attorneys declined comment. Their supporters, who took up most of the six
rows in Rodgers' courtroom, dwindled in number as the day went on.
According to another news article:
http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061102/NEWS01/611020330/1006
From 2000 to 2003, more than $1.1 million was taken from the Creation Science Evangelism
accounts in the form of checks made out to "cash," most of which were signed by Jo Hovind.
Most of the checks were made out for $9,500. The Internal Revenue Service alleges that this was a
way for the Hovinds to avoid a bank-filed currency transaction report, which is mandatory for cash
transactions of $10,000 or more.
The banks filed the reports on days when Jo Hovind would make two trips to the bank -- one before
and another after 2 p.m., which signals the end of the bank's business day. For example, on Dec. 20,
1999, she cashed a check from the Creation Science Evangelism account for $7,500 at 1:15 p.m.
She returned at 2:50 p.m. to cash another check from the same account for $7,500.
On the day the IRS searched the Hovind home, Kent Hovind withdrew $70,000 from the Creation
Science Evangelism account. Half in a check; the other in cash.
What bible are the Hovinds reading? Our KJV says to obey the law! The Lord
Jesus taught us the basic principle of living in our world. His words astonished
the Jewish leaders of His day and yet it is very simple for us to follow:
Matthew 22:17-22 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give
tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said,
Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they
brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image
and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them,
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto
God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words, they
marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Yet Mr. Hovind's defense was that his "work" was only for the Lord and
therefore did not need to pay taxes to the IRS. Yet our Bible tells us to obey
our government and the laws laid forth.
Much of what Dr. Hovind preached about dinosaurs is very interesting.
There is quite a bit of truth in his assessment of dinosaurs living with man but
unfortunately, the credibility of the messenger has been destroyed. He
has been found to be a cheat and a liar in the eyes of the world. He is
therefore considered an enemy of the Bible he preached from! Had he
simply obeyed God's Holy Word and had paid his taxes, obeying the law,
he could have continued preaching his message.
Prov 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed
after him.
I haven't seen anyone comment much on this subject of Hovind. In fact, as of
the writing of this article, his program is still being aired on the NRB Network.
One would think that a convicted criminal would have been taken off the
Christian network immediately, regardless of how "interesting" the show is.
When a popular chef on the Food TV network was convicted of fraud
regarding the operations in his restaurant, Food TV immediately pulled his
show off their network. NRB should take responsibility and do the
same with Hovind. But instead, his show has been airing for the past month of
November, even though he was charged with fraud and he and his wife, Jo
Hovind, were convicted in a court of law by a jury, on November 2, 2006.
Meanwhile, folks week after week are still watching the show, visiting his
website and buying merchandise from Hovind, not even knowing the truth
concerning him and his wife and the charges that were brought against them.
After viewing his one show in October, about dinosaurs, we even placed links
to his website from our Dinosaur article, not knowing the truth concerning
Hovind's tax evasion. Had we known, we would have never linked to his
website.
Christians must be honest and give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's
and to God, the things that are God's.
Romans 13:1-8 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is
no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever
therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that
resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good
works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that
which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the
minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid;
for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger
to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be
subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause
pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon
this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is
due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom
honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law.
Just from the above verses, we can see that the Lord wants us to live honestly
and without blame in the sight of the world. Titus 1:7 says, "For a bishop must
be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given
to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;" Notice he must be "blameless".
Any preacher who avoids the law and tries to "work around it" should be
punished and deserves the full penalty of the law. Hovind could serve a
maximum of 288 years in prison. He has reaped what he has sown. He has
lost his Christian witness.
Heb 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things
willing to live honestly.
Dear Christians and Preachers, PAY YOUR TAXES! Be honest in all things.
Obey the Word of God! And you will have the credibility behind your
message which you preach. Fear the Lord! Honour His Word! Do diligence
to insure that your books are accurate and that you are "blameless" in the sight
of the Lord and in the sight of the world. We must all have a CLEAN
conscience.
We encourage all of our readers to give to your local church and support
missionaries. Beware of scams on the internet involving so-called Christians.
Do research before financially supporting any ministry and beware of
the prosperity preachers out to scam you by twisting the Word of God.
There are many ministries who rake in millions a year and are not financially
accountable to their supporters. Preachers are not required by law to give
financial accountability to their supporters. Churches must report to the IRS
how much they pay employees, but those records are not public. The
charity's tax returns are public record but not the preacher's salary. Beware
of preachers and ministry workers who will not disclose their salaries to the
members of their congregation. Beware of ministries where the "board of
trustees" are comprised of the relatives of the minister and where all meetings
regarding finances are done in secret-- avoiding to provide meaningful financial
transparency.
Beware of preachers who say, "I just love to talk about money; I just love to
talk about your money. Let me be very clear. I want your money. I deserve it.
This church deserves it." (Source: http://www.myfortress.org/RodParsley.html)
Check to see if the ministries you support are accountable. A few websites are
listed here to help you:
http://www.ecfa.org/
http://www.ministrywatch.com/
http://www.trinityfi.org/
Popular TV preachers and their estimated wealth
MinistryWatch.com advises donors to withhold support to Trinity Broadcasting
Network
Above all, beware of any person who tells you "not to pay" your taxes! Such
people teach contrary to the Word of God! If you follow their lead, you are in
disobediance to the Word of God! We must have integrity for we bear the
name of Christ Jesus, as His ambassadors!
Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to
obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
© 2006 Cobblestone Road Ministries
All Rights Reserved.
FURTHER READING:
Ambassadors For Christ
Christian Capitalism -- Megachurches, Megabusinesses
Are Dinosaurs Found In The Bible?
Further Information about Kent Hovind
from Brother David Cloud's website:
KENT HOVIND ARRESTED ON TAX EVASION CHARGES (Friday
Church News Notes, July 21, 2006, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-
4143) - Kent Hovind, who operates a Creation Science evangelism ministry based in Pensacola,
Florida, was arrested on July 13 on 58 federal charges pertaining to tax evasion. Hovind says he
doesn't understand what he is being charged with and who is charging him (Evangelist Arrested on
Federal Charges,Ó Pensacola News-Journal, July 14), but the matter is not that complicated; he is
being charged by the United States government for not obeying the tax laws. Twelve of the charges
relate to Hovind's alleged failure to "deduct, collect, truthfully account for and pay over to the IRS
federal income tax and FICA tax from the total taxable wages of CSE employees which were due
and owing to the United States of America." I have encountered many other Christians who think
they are above the tax laws and have clever ways of justifying themselves, and I have no doubt that
some are sincere, but the bottom line is found in the following four Scriptures: Mark 12:14-17,
where we are taught to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's"; Matthew 17:24-27, where
Jesus and the apostle paid even the unjust tax; Romans 13:1-7, where we are taught to be subject
unto the higher powers and to pay tribute; and 1 Peter 2:13, where we are taught to submit to every
ordinance of man for the Lord's sake. The only godly reason for disobeying the state's law is if it
clearly contradicts God's Word (Acts 5:29), but God's Word nowhere instructs the Christian not
to pay taxes or not to submit to the state's ordinances in these matters. In April of this year county
authorities locked up a building at Dinosaur Adventure Land because Hovind's ministry did not
obtain a building permit and would not allow official safety inspections. Hovind claims all of this is
religious persecution because no one has authority over his ministry but God, but it is not
persecution and he is giving Bible-believing Christians in general and fundamental Baptists in
particular a bad name. "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they
speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God
in the day of visitation" (1 Pet. 2:12). "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well
doing, than for evil doing" (1 Pet. 3:17). "My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not
with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin
of them both" (Prov. 24:21-22). Hovind also believes he has the right to go anywhere he is invited
regardless of what error he thus associates with and what stamp of approval upon error he thus
gives by his example. Calvary Contender for September 15, 1994 reported the following: "Dr. Kent
Hovind's 1993-4 "Creation Science Evangelism' itinerary shows him speaking on many
fundamentalist platforms, but it also has him speaking at over a half-dozen Southern Baptist
churches, new evangelical organizations, a charismatic church, a Vineyard Christian Fellowship
church, a
Christian Coalition group, and a United Methodist Church. Fundamentalists may want to investigate
this further before rescheduling Dr. Hovind." Not surprisingly, Hovind has called the Calvary
Contender a "gossip rag," but speaking the truth in love and warning about error is not gossip.
Those who are the objects of godly reproof often confuse it with persecution.
Source: http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/fridaynews/news/2006/fridaynews060721.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORE LINKS ABOUT KENT HOVIND:
BEWARE OF KENT HOVIND'S NEW EVANGELICAL PHILOSOPHY
SLICE OF LAODICEA: Kent Hovind, "Dr. Dino"--Guilty on All Counts
http://www.blessedquietness.com/journal/housechu/hovind.htm
Any teacher who tells you otherwise is not teaching according to God's Word!
The Lord Jesus paid taxes. In Matthew 17:24-27, we read:
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money
came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes.
And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What
thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or
tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of
strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding,
lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up
the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt
find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Joseph, the step-father of Jesus, obeyed the law and paid taxes:
Luke 2:4-5 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he
was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child.
Most of the Jews of Jesus' day paid taxes. The Early Christians paid taxes.
We must obey the law of the land and pay taxes. The Bible clearly admonishes
us to obey the law:
1Peter 2:12-17 Having your conversation [means your behavior] honest
among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they
may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day
of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's
sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto
them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise
of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may
put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your
liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all
men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Most Christians do pay their taxes and most are honest but there are a choice
few professing christians who give great disservice to the Lord Jesus Christ.
KENT HOVIND
Popular controversial creationist, Kent Hovind, "Dr. Dino", was recently
convicted on 58 accounts of tax evasion. His wife was convicted of 44
accounts. What a shame!
According to the Pensecola News Journal: http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20061103/NEWS01/611030338/1006
Kent Hovind, founder of Creation Science Evangelism and Dinosaur Adventure Land in Pensacola,
was found guilty of 58 counts, including failure to pay $845,000 in employee-related taxes. He
faces a maximum of 288 years in prison.
Jo Hovind was charged and convicted in 44 of the counts involving evading bank-reporting
requirements. She faces up to 225 years in prison but was allowed to remain free pending the
couple's sentencing on Jan. 9.
Kent Hovind briefly held onto her arm as the verdict was read. Neither reacted at first. But minutes
later, she held her face in her hands.
"Nobody likes to pay taxes," Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer said in her closing
argument. "But we do because it's the law, and he is not above the law."
The jury also granted the prosecution's request for the Hovinds to forfeit $430,400. That amount
equals the value of the checks signed and cashed by Jo Hovind in the 44 counts.
The same article also stated that Hovind's wife was purposely withdrawing
certain amounts from their account, as not to be noticed by the IRS:
Any cash transaction at a bank more than $10,000 triggers a currency-transaction report forwarded
to the IRS. She was found guilty of using several methods to take out just enough money to avoid
triggering the report.
The Hovinds and their attorneys declined comment. Their supporters, who took up most of the six
rows in Rodgers' courtroom, dwindled in number as the day went on.
According to another news article:
http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061102/NEWS01/611020330/1006
From 2000 to 2003, more than $1.1 million was taken from the Creation Science Evangelism
accounts in the form of checks made out to "cash," most of which were signed by Jo Hovind.
Most of the checks were made out for $9,500. The Internal Revenue Service alleges that this was a
way for the Hovinds to avoid a bank-filed currency transaction report, which is mandatory for cash
transactions of $10,000 or more.
The banks filed the reports on days when Jo Hovind would make two trips to the bank -- one before
and another after 2 p.m., which signals the end of the bank's business day. For example, on Dec. 20,
1999, she cashed a check from the Creation Science Evangelism account for $7,500 at 1:15 p.m.
She returned at 2:50 p.m. to cash another check from the same account for $7,500.
On the day the IRS searched the Hovind home, Kent Hovind withdrew $70,000 from the Creation
Science Evangelism account. Half in a check; the other in cash.
What bible are the Hovinds reading? Our KJV says to obey the law! The Lord
Jesus taught us the basic principle of living in our world. His words astonished
the Jewish leaders of His day and yet it is very simple for us to follow:
Matthew 22:17-22 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give
tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said,
Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they
brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image
and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them,
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto
God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words, they
marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Yet Mr. Hovind's defense was that his "work" was only for the Lord and
therefore did not need to pay taxes to the IRS. Yet our Bible tells us to obey
our government and the laws laid forth.
Much of what Dr. Hovind preached about dinosaurs is very interesting.
There is quite a bit of truth in his assessment of dinosaurs living with man but
unfortunately, the credibility of the messenger has been destroyed. He
has been found to be a cheat and a liar in the eyes of the world. He is
therefore considered an enemy of the Bible he preached from! Had he
simply obeyed God's Holy Word and had paid his taxes, obeying the law,
he could have continued preaching his message.
Prov 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed
after him.
I haven't seen anyone comment much on this subject of Hovind. In fact, as of
the writing of this article, his program is still being aired on the NRB Network.
One would think that a convicted criminal would have been taken off the
Christian network immediately, regardless of how "interesting" the show is.
When a popular chef on the Food TV network was convicted of fraud
regarding the operations in his restaurant, Food TV immediately pulled his
show off their network. NRB should take responsibility and do the
same with Hovind. But instead, his show has been airing for the past month of
November, even though he was charged with fraud and he and his wife, Jo
Hovind, were convicted in a court of law by a jury, on November 2, 2006.
Meanwhile, folks week after week are still watching the show, visiting his
website and buying merchandise from Hovind, not even knowing the truth
concerning him and his wife and the charges that were brought against them.
After viewing his one show in October, about dinosaurs, we even placed links
to his website from our Dinosaur article, not knowing the truth concerning
Hovind's tax evasion. Had we known, we would have never linked to his
website.
Christians must be honest and give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's
and to God, the things that are God's.
Romans 13:1-8 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is
no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever
therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that
resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good
works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that
which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the
minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid;
for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger
to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be
subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause
pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon
this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is
due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom
honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law.
Just from the above verses, we can see that the Lord wants us to live honestly
and without blame in the sight of the world. Titus 1:7 says, "For a bishop must
be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given
to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;" Notice he must be "blameless".
Any preacher who avoids the law and tries to "work around it" should be
punished and deserves the full penalty of the law. Hovind could serve a
maximum of 288 years in prison. He has reaped what he has sown. He has
lost his Christian witness.
Heb 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things
willing to live honestly.
Dear Christians and Preachers, PAY YOUR TAXES! Be honest in all things.
Obey the Word of God! And you will have the credibility behind your
message which you preach. Fear the Lord! Honour His Word! Do diligence
to insure that your books are accurate and that you are "blameless" in the sight
of the Lord and in the sight of the world. We must all have a CLEAN
conscience.
We encourage all of our readers to give to your local church and support
missionaries. Beware of scams on the internet involving so-called Christians.
Do research before financially supporting any ministry and beware of
the prosperity preachers out to scam you by twisting the Word of God.
There are many ministries who rake in millions a year and are not financially
accountable to their supporters. Preachers are not required by law to give
financial accountability to their supporters. Churches must report to the IRS
how much they pay employees, but those records are not public. The
charity's tax returns are public record but not the preacher's salary. Beware
of preachers and ministry workers who will not disclose their salaries to the
members of their congregation. Beware of ministries where the "board of
trustees" are comprised of the relatives of the minister and where all meetings
regarding finances are done in secret-- avoiding to provide meaningful financial
transparency.
Beware of preachers who say, "I just love to talk about money; I just love to
talk about your money. Let me be very clear. I want your money. I deserve it.
This church deserves it." (Source: http://www.myfortress.org/RodParsley.html)
Check to see if the ministries you support are accountable. A few websites are
listed here to help you:
http://www.ecfa.org/
http://www.ministrywatch.com/
http://www.trinityfi.org/
Popular TV preachers and their estimated wealth
MinistryWatch.com advises donors to withhold support to Trinity Broadcasting
Network
Above all, beware of any person who tells you "not to pay" your taxes! Such
people teach contrary to the Word of God! If you follow their lead, you are in
disobediance to the Word of God! We must have integrity for we bear the
name of Christ Jesus, as His ambassadors!
Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to
obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
© 2006 Cobblestone Road Ministries
All Rights Reserved.
FURTHER READING:
Ambassadors For Christ
Christian Capitalism -- Megachurches, Megabusinesses
Are Dinosaurs Found In The Bible?
Further Information about Kent Hovind
from Brother David Cloud's website:
KENT HOVIND ARRESTED ON TAX EVASION CHARGES (Friday
Church News Notes, July 21, 2006, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-
4143) - Kent Hovind, who operates a Creation Science evangelism ministry based in Pensacola,
Florida, was arrested on July 13 on 58 federal charges pertaining to tax evasion. Hovind says he
doesn't understand what he is being charged with and who is charging him (Evangelist Arrested on
Federal Charges,Ó Pensacola News-Journal, July 14), but the matter is not that complicated; he is
being charged by the United States government for not obeying the tax laws. Twelve of the charges
relate to Hovind's alleged failure to "deduct, collect, truthfully account for and pay over to the IRS
federal income tax and FICA tax from the total taxable wages of CSE employees which were due
and owing to the United States of America." I have encountered many other Christians who think
they are above the tax laws and have clever ways of justifying themselves, and I have no doubt that
some are sincere, but the bottom line is found in the following four Scriptures: Mark 12:14-17,
where we are taught to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's"; Matthew 17:24-27, where
Jesus and the apostle paid even the unjust tax; Romans 13:1-7, where we are taught to be subject
unto the higher powers and to pay tribute; and 1 Peter 2:13, where we are taught to submit to every
ordinance of man for the Lord's sake. The only godly reason for disobeying the state's law is if it
clearly contradicts God's Word (Acts 5:29), but God's Word nowhere instructs the Christian not
to pay taxes or not to submit to the state's ordinances in these matters. In April of this year county
authorities locked up a building at Dinosaur Adventure Land because Hovind's ministry did not
obtain a building permit and would not allow official safety inspections. Hovind claims all of this is
religious persecution because no one has authority over his ministry but God, but it is not
persecution and he is giving Bible-believing Christians in general and fundamental Baptists in
particular a bad name. "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they
speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God
in the day of visitation" (1 Pet. 2:12). "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well
doing, than for evil doing" (1 Pet. 3:17). "My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not
with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin
of them both" (Prov. 24:21-22). Hovind also believes he has the right to go anywhere he is invited
regardless of what error he thus associates with and what stamp of approval upon error he thus
gives by his example. Calvary Contender for September 15, 1994 reported the following: "Dr. Kent
Hovind's 1993-4 "Creation Science Evangelism' itinerary shows him speaking on many
fundamentalist platforms, but it also has him speaking at over a half-dozen Southern Baptist
churches, new evangelical organizations, a charismatic church, a Vineyard Christian Fellowship
church, a
Christian Coalition group, and a United Methodist Church. Fundamentalists may want to investigate
this further before rescheduling Dr. Hovind." Not surprisingly, Hovind has called the Calvary
Contender a "gossip rag," but speaking the truth in love and warning about error is not gossip.
Those who are the objects of godly reproof often confuse it with persecution.
Source: http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/fridaynews/news/2006/fridaynews060721.html
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MORE LINKS ABOUT KENT HOVIND:
BEWARE OF KENT HOVIND'S NEW EVANGELICAL PHILOSOPHY
SLICE OF LAODICEA: Kent Hovind, "Dr. Dino"--Guilty on All Counts
http://www.blessedquietness.com/journal/housechu/hovind.htm
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