Monday, November 3, 2008

Obama's Coin

From the start of his campaign, Barack Obama promised change for America. During the first few months, no one could really say what the change was. One could argue that the change he was referring to, was nothing more than skin color. But keep that to yourself. Pointing out that Barack Obama has done nothing (but write two books and vote in the Senate) could get you labeled as a racist.

It is hard for me to imagine a junior "white" senator with NO executive experience ever getting a nod for the highest executive job in the country. (Even JFK had 13 years of congressional and senatorial experience before taking office.) Barack Obama is a very intelligent, articulate, and charismatic guy. Though I don't agree with everything he SAYS, I do enjoy hearing HOW he says it. But like the poetic, captivating, and sometimes hypnotic words of the Mad Hatter, the logic can leave you wanting.

Over the past few weeks, Obama's economic plan for America has come into focus, courtesy of "Joe the Plumber". Obama's plan is not to FIX the economy, but to CHANGE it. He'll start by giving a tax rebate to 95% of Americans. The obvious problem is that only 53% of Americans pay taxes. If Best Buy installed Obama's plan, it would look like this.

Suppose you run out and buy a $1200 television set, that came with a $200 mail-in rebate. What would happen is that Best Buy would send you $100 and send the other $100 to someone else. So under Obama, the people buying TVs would pay more so that the folks NOT buying TVs would also get rebates. Sounds fair, right? Obama would basically stamp a "No Purchase Necessary" on the income tax code. So why I am NOT worried? Because Jesus said so.

The religious leaders of Jesus' day were notorious for asking Him political, and tricky questions. On one occasion, they wanted to get his take on the extremely high taxation of Caesar. When asked, Jesus responded by asking his own question.
Jesus said, "Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a coin. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Matt. 22:19-21
It is my vote, prayer, and hope that America doesn't CHANGE into the socialist country Obama and his cronies desire. However, If Caesar wants to "redistribute" his money, Jesus said it isn't His, OR mine to argue over. A nation's currency belongs to its government. The Earth is the Lords. God didn't create the numerous monetary systems throughout its history. It is worth noting that the Jews were prohibited from using currency (gold/silver coins) to pay the the tithe. God didn't want a tithe of Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, or Caesar's money. He wanted a tithe of His own creation. The Bible says that God provides all my needs, and He is the keeper and sustainer of my life. God is not bound by the economic health of America. I have faith that if Obama wants more of his money, then God will provide.
Jesus said, "Go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.” Matt.17:27
I don't think Obama will win. But IF I am wrong, we are in for some tough financial times. (Google Herbert Hoover and the Revenue Act of 1932) With that being said, It's not my money to worry about. All I can do is vote, pray, and bait my fishing pole.