Must The Church Pay Tax?

Recently the issue of taxing the churches was discussed by parliamentarians in Ghana and it raised mixed reactions from many denominations.
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Some were of the view that it was wrong to tax the churches in Ghana since they are non profitable organisations and their main concern has never been about margining profit but rendering service to people who will in turn give willingly to support God's work.

Others felt taxing the church was the right move the government should take because some churches do sell products of all kinds to their vunerable members who buy them with the believe in its power to solve their problem.

Clergymen from different churches have expressed their disapproval arguing that it is just a mere political strategy to extort money from the churches. Some have also approved of it and have said it is in the right direction since it is never a wrong thing for any citizen, organisation or a religious body to render their responsibilty to their nation.

I believe we owe a duty to a nation in which we live as Christians. God expect us to seek the peace and welfare of the nation in which we live for in their peace shall we find peace.

One wouldn't be partiotic enough if he or she ignores the dutied he owes his or her own nation.

And when they came to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your teacher pay tribute? He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus preceded him, saying, What think you, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter said unto him, Of strangers. Jesus said unto him, Then are the children free. However, lest we should offend them, go to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first comes up; and when you have opened its mouth, you shall find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and you. Mathew 17:24-27

Though our kingdom is not of this world yet we live in this world and this is the more reason we cannot entirely ignore the affairs of this world. God expect us to live well with all men including those that enacts or impose strict laws on us.

Jesus could have refused payment when the tax collectors came to Peter but paid in order not to offend them.

This tribute was collected in service of the sanctuary or temple and it was paid every year. Jesus being the son of God and the disciples being sons of God should have been exempted from tax payment but in order not to offend the earthly kings and leaders they had to.

Individual pastors or men of God who work for the church and are paid are to pay their tax. I would say matters of the church paying tax should not be reconsidered if the reason is becuase of how some churches nowadays are amassing wealth and exploiting their members.

The Government stance on taxing churches in Ghana could be very detrimental to the nation since most of the public schools that is now called "Government Schools" were established by many othordox, pentecostal and charismatic churches.

Any law that's not in favour of the churches could also pose threat to the entire nation. This however may not be the case in order nations but I believe we still need to comply with certain laws to ensure the betterment of our nations. Your views are welcomed