[Wednesday's Devotional] - God is not Fooled by Facebook Likes

But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?  Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius.  And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”  They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”  When they heard it, they marvelled.  And they left him and went away. Matthew 22: 18-22 [ESV]

 

The recent announcement by Mark Zuckerberg (Number 7 on the Forbes List of richest Americans) and his wife Priscilla Chan that they plan to give away 99% of their shares in Facebook over the course of his life (valued at £30 billion currently) made news headlines before Christmas. 

 

Zuckerberg is not the only philanthropist in the top 20 for wealth – the top two being Bill Gates and George Soros who have between them given away over £40 billion already and plan to give away most of their wealth before they die.

 

Only a few weeks earlier it had been announced that Facebook paid a mere £4,327 in UK Corporation tax for the year 2014.  What is interesting is the preference all the above named rich businessmen appear to give to charitable giving above paying taxes.  Although the charitable sector has its own share of bad publicity (a few bad apples spoiling the reputation of the bunch), it seems that the richest in the world will always pay a smaller percentage of their wealth in tax than the poorest or even the “squeezed middle”, and spend their wealth where they desire to make a difference in relieving poverty or improving health – not always investing in the wisest ways.

 

Tax evasion (criminal) and the lesser evil tax avoidance (legal) are major contributory factors driving governments into debt and putting a strain on public services.  Is it fair that the richest avoid their moral and sometimes legal responsibilities in society?  Perhaps if they rendered to Caesar (or today in the UK, Osborne) that which was due we would find our global economy in better shape?

 

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  Mark 10:25 [KJV]

 

Lord, we thank you for those who support charities with generous giving.  Help those with the greatest wealth to be wise and honest in their business affairs.  Amen.

 

Dave MacLellan