So I filed my taxes last week. I've been putting it off because there was something I didn't want to do: I didn't want to report ALL the income that I received last year. Who wants to pay more taxes? And who would know, really, that I didn't report all my income? It was in cash. Last week, as the ninth hour approached, I finally sat down to finish my tax return. I calculated to see how much I would lose if I reported my extra income- about $300. Ouch. Let me tell you, I reeeeally did not want to report my extra income.
But one verse keep circling in my head-- "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's." Sigh. I tried to rationalize my way out of it but I really could not talk my way out of that verse. Plus, how can I ask God to bless my venture if I'm not reporting income gained from it which I'm supposed to do under the law? And this is a venture I desperately want God to bless. I'm hoping it'll turn into a sizable side income and that I'll be able to report it as a business in several years.
So painful as it was, I bit the bullet, reported my extra income, and regretfully bid farewell to my extra $300. It could potentially turn out to be a greater loss since I pay my student loans under the Income-Based Repayment Plan and I'm betting my loan payments will go up an extra $50 this year. So bye-bye to $700.
But I told myself, surely God can cover a $700 shortfall. He's a God who can multiply loaves of bread and pull coins out of fish. If I'm really living out a life of obedience, why wouldn't God provide for me? Obedience was extremely painful this month, but I obeyed. The pain only lasted about a day. Today, I feel peace; I look forward to His provision.
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