Taxes are functional and not evil.
In America, taxes are pooled money from individuals that bring benefits to communities, states, and our country. Taxes are a financial tool designed to bring resources and services to all individuals who could not afford to replace such resources and services out of pocket as individuals.
Churches have a responsibility to contribute to their communities through taxes. Churches have a responsibility to contribute to America through taxes. Why? Because taxes are reciprocal. By contributing through taxes, churches will give more access to resources and services to others while lessening the financial burden to have such things, which in turns gives those individuals a greater means to contribute back to the church. The church is investing in the growth of their communities. The church is investing in its future congregation.
If churches want to see more giving in their churches, then they need to start paying taxes so that the financial burden is lessened from their congregations on the day-to-day things their congregation needs and wants.
It is no surprise that Christ specially said to pay taxes, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar.” This was not just a way to get out of being tricked by those grilling him, our Lord is much smarter than that, he is God after all. These words were selected to reach across the years, to today, to tomorrow, to all the churches who felt like they were entitled to not have to pay taxes because of their religion. Yet, in the Christian religion, we see taxes play a very important part in the story of Christ. It was the taxes which brought his parents to Bethlehem, where he was born. If Mary and Joseph refused to pay taxes how would the story have played out?
If God gives churches the ability to give to their communities, then why would churches not want to participate in that universal giving? Churches need to pay taxes because it is good stewardship and God gives them the ability to do so.