Bible Questions Answered: Duties To Elected Officials

Bible Questions Answered:
I have a question, we have some elected officials, that I think are wrong in what they do, as a Christian, what is our call, regarding these people?
Jerome/ Sarasota, Florida

Bible Answers:
As Christian people we do have responsibility to elected officials:

New Testament, Christian duties to elected officials:

1) It is the Christian's responsibility to “pray, and give, thanks,” for them!

Dear Christian, are there elected people in government, who you think are not right, in their thinking and judgments?
And do you pray, and give thanks for them on a regular basis, be honest!
It is the “duty, “ of every Christian to pray, and give thanks, for those who over see our government.
How can there ever be righteous government, if we do not pray with all earnestness for our elected leaders, and again, if we do not act as Christians before the world, giving “thanks” for them?

I Timothy 2:1-4 KJV
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

I Timothy 2:1-4 NLT
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,
4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

This is where many go astray from the Word of God, voting to protect their wallets, they despise officials, who require them to pay their fair share of tax.
This simply should not be so among Godly people, sin, lies at the door!

2) The Word of the Lord, tells us to honor those who are in authority.

I Peter 2:17 KJV
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

I Peter 2:17 NLT
Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.

We are to, “obey, “ those who are in authority. Criminals, refuse to obey, criminals, refuse to respect and honor those in authority, far be that from God's people.
Either we believe the Word of the Lord in “part,” or we believe it not in the, “whole”.

3) Ruling authorities have been placed, maybe not by you, but by....”Almighty God.”

These ruling authorities, will either bless us as a Godly people, or they will be our curse, because we as a whole are not a Godly nation.

Romans 13:1-7 KJV
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Romans 13:1-7 NLT
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.
4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

4) We are to support (taxes) our government (local and federal) and it's rulers.

Many wealthy, super rich, and super smart, have relegated the paying of taxes, for the building of roads, schools and hospitals, etc. to the less than wealthy.
Off shore, and Swiss, bank accounts, have protected their wealth, but this is what God's word says.

Matthew 24:17-27 KJV
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto Him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 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.

Matthew 17:24-27 NLT
24 On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”
25 “Yes, He does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”
26 “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!
27 However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

The Apostle Paul told the Philippian believers, that a Christian's life is to be one of consecration, the best witness to the world!

Philippians 3:20 NLT
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.