By Pastor Barron Greenwalt, En-Joy Ministries
December 30, 2025

In our last commentary, we declared boldly that the IRS owes America a complete refund amid unchecked waste and fraud. But Scripture doesn’t leave us without guidance on taxes, justice, and corrupt systems. The Bible is clear: God despises rulers who burden and oppress through unjust extraction, while calling His people to discern, pray, and act for righteousness.

Stories of Tax Oppression and Divine Rebuke

Consider 1 Samuel 8:10-18, where the people of Israel demanded a king like the nations. God warned Samuel: The king “will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards” (v. 15), and “you shall be his slaves” (v. 17). This wasn’t voluntary tithing for God’s house—it was forced extraction for a ruler’s gain, leading to bondage. The prophets later condemned such systems: Amos 5:11 cries woe to those who “trample on the poor and take from him levies of grain,” while Isaiah 10:1-2 denounces rulers who “decree unrighteous decrees… to turn aside the needy from justice.”

These narratives show God’s heart: Taxes and tribute must serve justice, not enrich the powerful at the expense of the vulnerable. When rulers pervert them into tools of oppression, they invite divine judgment—as seen in Israel’s exile for idolatry and injustice (2 Kings 17).

Jesus’ Wisdom on Taxes in a Corrupt Empire

Jesus faced a similar trap in Matthew 22:15-22 (the “Render unto Caesar” passage). The Pharisees and Herodians asked if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar—a Roman system funding idolatry, oppression, and corruption. Jesus responded: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” This wasn’t blanket endorsement of tyranny; it distinguished earthly obligations from ultimate allegiance to God. Even under a pagan empire marked by injustice, Jesus affirmed civic duty while prioritizing God’s kingdom.

Yet Scripture balances this with warnings: Romans 13:1-7 calls authorities “God’s servant for your good,” but when they become oppressors, they cease fulfilling that role. Believers are not to blindly fund evil—Ephesians 5:11 commands us to “expose the unfruitful works of darkness.”

Today’s Parallel: Ongoing Waste, Fraud, and No Accountability

In 2025, reports from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and GAO’s High-Risk List continue to reveal hundreds of billions in improper payments, fraudulent entitlements, and waste across federal programs—money siphoned from hardworking families while elites evade consequences. This echoes the biblical kings who “afflict the righteous” (Amos 5:12) and the Roman system Jesus navigated. No prosecutions follow exposed scandals; the “swamp” grows. As Christians, we cannot turn a blind eye.

Our Call: Courageous Activism Rooted in Faith

God calls us to action: Micah 6:8—”Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.” Historical Christian activism—like Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolent stand against unjust laws, grounded in the prophetic tradition and Sermon on the Mount—shows how faith drives reform. King exposed oppression peacefully, stirring consciences and demanding accountability.

Today, pray fervently (2 Chronicles 7:14), vote biblically, speak truth boldly, and support reforms that restore honest stewardship. Demand refunds where theft occurred, abolish non-essential agencies fueling waste, and hold leaders accountable.

Heavenly Father, expose corruption, give us courage like the prophets, and heal our land as we seek Your justice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What stirs your heart? Share below or contact En-Joy Ministries. Let’s cultivate justice together!

Blessings, Pastor Barron Greenwalt