Article December 18, 1943 Issue

Taxes

HELEN M. EASTMAN

Today, when we hear the subject of taxes discussed on every hand, and intermingled with it expressions of fear and burden, the story of the "tribute money" in the seventeenth chapter of Matthew takes on fresh meaning for the student of Christian Science. The truth which Jesus endeavored to teach Peter when he bade him find the tax money in the fish's mouth is just as true, just as practical, today.

An interesting point about this incident is that Jesus saw that Peter's attitude toward the situation must be changed. Perhaps resistance and fear and even resentment needed to be healed. Jesus did not quibble about the amount of the taxes, or argue that he and Peter were strangers in Capernaum, or that the taxes were unjust, or that the government was squandering the money. No, he immediately applied his understanding of the law of supply to a human situation, and he did it promptly, saying to Peter, "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee."

Was not Jesus using this occasion as an opportunity to teach Peter and all mankind that supply is primarily a question of spiritual-mindedness? Was not Jesus indicating that the way to realize our ever-present supply is to be conscious of our at-one-ment with God?

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