Mark 12:17 "And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him."

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes!  More and More and MORE TAXES!  After reading this verse you may "marvel" at me for what I am going to tell you.  For one, I don't like paying taxes any more than you or anyone else does.  However, I am fully aware that to run a government, a business, an organization, or a church, it takes money and taxing is one way for the government to get its fair (or unfair!) share of money to operate on.  Even in Jesus day it was necessary to pay taxes and Jesus taught that it was rightful to do so.  HOWEVER... everything God has given us is still HIS.  (1 Corinthians 10:26) God has made us stewards of all the things He has put into our hands.  I for one firmly believe we should not be wasteful of His provisions.  We should neither be stingy or wasteful, the Bible teaches moderation and we should follow the Word as closely as we can.

The modern IRS code gives us many ways to reduce our tax burden.  One of those ways is allowing us to count all our charitable contributions as a deduction from our wages.  Thank GOD we still get to do this.  There are countries on this planet that do not allow this in any form, and the day may come when it is removed in America.  Please keep good records, spend wisely, give generously and give God His part first.  (Malachi 3:10-12).  God will bless YOU!

On that note, our Clerk and Treasurer has a tremendous job of keeping all the church records and accounting for all the funds that come into and out of the church treasury.  YOU can BLESS HER by being diligent in just a few things.  1) Fill out your tithe and offering envelop completely (put your name and the amount of each part of your offering and tithes ON THE ENVELOPE each week - Your address is only needed if it changes).  2) Double check the money placed in the envelope or the check to be sure it matches with the amount on the front of the envelope, and be sure you have signed your check.  3) PRAY for your Clerk and Treasurer.  Her job can be a tedious one at best and she is devoted to doing her best for God and His Church.  By doing these simple things you will make her job easier and more efficient. AND, she will have better records to assure you the best information for taking those deductions.

I am not in favor of all the wasteful things our government spends our tax dollars on and I certainly am against abortion funding and some of the other sinful things the government supports with our tax dollars.  So, with that thought, I take EVERY deduction I can to reduce my taxes to the fullest extent of the law.  How about joining me.  If you don't want the extra money you save, you can always give it back to God!

In HIS service - Pastor Kenny