Let us adopt the spirit of Zacchaeus the tax collector

EDITOR: [10] Two men went into the temple to pray. [a] One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [b] 11  The Pharisee stood over by himself and prayed, [c] “God, I thank you that I am not greedy, dishonest, and unfaithful in marriage like other people. And I am really glad that I am not like that tax collector over there. 12  I go without eating [d] for two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all I earn.”

13  The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good enough even to look up toward heaven. He was so sorry for what he had done that he pounded his chest and prayed, “God, have pity on me! I am such a sinner.”

14  Then Jesus said, “When the two men went home, it was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who was pleasing to God. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honoured.”

House and land taxes are due and should be paid on time. Other bills too, need to be paid. These include electricity, telephone, water, and garbage collection.

Mortgage or rent, college fund, school fees, transportation, food bill at the shop, entertainment, child maintenance, gym fees, sports club dues, SUSU, credit union shares, health insurance, and life insurance.

Bills demand payments. They do not go away. They must be paid. It is the demand of honesty. Greed may cause us to use the money earmarked to pay these bills otherwise. The promise of the lottery is enticing. So too is the ponzi scheme, and fast foods beckon us to spend what is not ours. Some have taken to spending other people’s money in the rum shop. Workers in our employ need their wages, and their social security payments must be made. We cannot take responsibility for giving our workers a pension, so their NIS payments must be made.

When the publican goes to confess his sins, he recognizes all his short comings and decides to make restitution. He adopts the spirit of Zacchaeus who said “And I will now pay back four times as much [b] to everyone I have ever cheated. “You may not be as generous as Zacchaeus, but at least you can pay the principal to all that you owe.

Without exception, taxes should be collected from all. Those who seek exemption are among those who should pay. The discretionary nature of exemption is inherently corrupt. Let us adopt the spirit of the Publican and Zacchaeus and keep our country solvent.

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD