It seems very clear that Jesus would be cool with a 39.6% tax bracket for people making over $250,000 –Lawrence O’Donnell

What would Jesus really do? It’s an interesting question.

On his radio program this week, Rush Limbaugh, asked a slightly different question: “what would Jesus take?”

By asking this question, Mr. Limbaugh was attempting to make the point that Jesus would not take, whether by force or not, from anyone who was unwilling to give of his or her resources, willingly.This made Mr. O’Donnell furious, citing Limbaugh showed a “wild display of biblical ignorance.” What Mr. O’Donnell has overlooked is that one of the most important tenets of the Christian faith hangs on this very important element called free will.

Giving without willingness, is truly not giving at all. Unfortunately, when taxes are taken out of our paychecks each month, it doesn’t qualify for the type of giving Christ truly expects of us.

Why? Because it overrides our free will. Taxes are “taken” from us, not by choice, but by force. If you do not pay your taxes, you will be penalized. Unfortunately, you don’t get credit for being a member of a club. What the government does or does not do on your behalf has zero effect on your salvation. It is an entity in itself.

God wants us to give willingly out of love. When the tabernacle was built, “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering’ ” (Exodus 25:1,2).

God not only wants us to give freely, but also give cheerfully.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. -2 Corinthians 9:7

God wants us to give willingly through love. We give cheerfully because God has given us so much. God wants us to give liberally, according to our ability, but first of all He wants us to give ourselves to Him.

“While Jesus may not have specified specific tax brackets, he was the first recorded advocate of a progressive income tax.” –Lawrence O’Donnell

Mr. O’Donnell used the story of the widow giving all she had in Mark 12:41-44 as a justification for a progressive income tax. By giving all she had to God, Mr. O’Donnell effectively made the case that God and government are equals. By giving to government you are in essence giving to God, but this is the farthest from the truth. Who was this poor widow giving to? She was clearly giving to God, not the government. Why did her giving stand out to God? Because she gave all she had, and by doing this showed she trusted that God would provide for her needs.

Willingness and faith are two things that should always be associated with our giving.

Taking from one, whether through taxation or other means, and giving to another is not the type of giving we see reflected in the Bible. Christ has without a doubt called us to help our neighbor, but he wants us to give willingly and with our whole hearts.

What would Jesus take? He would take our all, if we as individuals are willing to give it.

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