Is God Obligated To Protect You?
Most Pastors are familiar with several Scriptures that promise God’s protecting hand upon their lives. When troubles arise they are quick to quote Scriptures such as Isa. 54:17, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper. . .” However, will God protect us if we are out of relationship with Him or if we are violating His commands? I do not think so.
The Psalmist provided this promise in Psalms 91:1-2:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Notice that God is only our refuge and fortress when we abide under His shadow. This only happens when we are obedient to His commands.
How Does This Apply to Church Tax Law?
As I crisscross this nation teaching Church and Clergy Tax Conferences, I constantly come face to face with many Pastors and Church Leaders who do not feel compelled to obey Church Tax Laws. Their reasoning, albeit flawed, is that God is obligated to protect His Church from the long arm of the Internal Revenue Service, even if the Church or the Pastor is disobeying His commands.
Pastors are imprisoned weekly for violating IRS laws. These Pastors would argue that they are Christians, yet they are still incarcerated. Why did God not protect them? The answer is simple. They were not under God’s protecting shadow mentioned in Psalms 91:1 simply because they chose to disobey His commands.
Throughout Scripture, many Israelite kings were subjected to the shame of defeat because they did obey God. If God will allow them to be taken into captivity for their disobedience why would He protect 21st century Pastors who will not obey Him when He has commanded them to obey the laws of the land (Rom. 13:1), and when He exhorted them to give to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar (Mt. 22:21)?
Obedience is Better than Sacrifice
It is better for Pastors to obey the laws of the land, and thereby obey God’s commands, than to be presumptuous in thinking, they can disobey state and federal laws, and God must protect them just because they are Christian.
The First Step
The role of a Pastor is to protect his or her Members. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure the Church books and records are in total compliance with the IRS regulations. God will not bless a mess and He will not bless a Church that believes they have a right to disobey these laws simply because they are a Church. If the Pastor will make the effort to do what he should in regards to IRS law, God is then obligated to stretch forth His hand of protection.
How We Can Help
Chitwood & Chitwood is the number one Church and Clergy tax organization in the world. We conduct Church Management Tax Seminars all across the USA. It behooves every Pastor and Church Leader to attend a seminar in the city nearest them to learn the latest requirements applicable to religious organizations. To register, visit us at www.cmtc.org or call 800-344-0076. You will be glad you did.
For us this is “A Ministry, Not A Job.”
