There is a certain sense of disheartening irony in the fact that many of President Obama’s cabinet-level nominees have tax problems. The Democratic Party is, after all, the party that promotes taxation to spread the wealth. How can America’s leaders ask its citizens to dig deep and open up their pocketbooks to help the country, if those in power refuse to pay the taxes they themselves legislate?

Another cabinet-level nominee revealed on March 2 that he owes thousands in unpaid taxes for 2005, 2006 and 2007. Trade representative nominee Ron Kirk is the fifth Obama appointee to admit that he neglected to pay what he owes.

Yes, tax cheats have always been with us. But if there was ever a time that America needed strong, impeccable leaders of character to steer us through troubled economic times, it is now. Unfortunately, in our time of greatest need, Washington’s tax problems are one more factor destroying the people’s faith in the most important institution in the land—the government.

Kirk’s tax revelations add to the long list of admissions.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner failed to pay $34,000 in taxes that he owed. What was his reward? We gave him the keys to the national Treasury. The highest financial post in the government has been given to someone who either couldn’t manage his own finances, or purposefully tried to cheat on his taxes.

Former chief performance officer nominee Nance Killefer also admitted to failing to pay taxes. Prior to her resignation, President Obama implied Killefer would make the government “more effective, more efficient, and more transparent.” Obama credited her with modernizing the Internal Revenue Service (irs) and wringing out inefficiencies so that taxpayers could get more for their money. A former irs head not paying her taxes—hardly an incentive to follow the rules, is it?

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis admitted that the family business run by her husband had $6,400 in tax liens against it.

Former secretary of health and human services nominee Tom Daschle is the biggest offender. Somehow he forgot to pay $140,000 in back taxes and interest. Maybe it was partially because he failed to disclose more than $300,000 worth of income.

Then there is Rep. Charles Rangel, who wields congressional oversight of the federal tax code as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. He apparently did not realize income from rental properties was considered reportable income. He has apologized, but is still under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over his taxes.

It is bad enough for taxpayer morale that so many of America’s national leaders have tax problems, but sadly, evidence indicates state legislators are equally culpable—maybe more so.

Consider Georgia. Twenty-two elected members of the Georgia General Assembly have not paid their taxes—some for several years—according to a news report published by the Lexington Herald-Leader. That equates to 10 percent of the Assembly.

Georgia Sen. Robert Brown was not on the original list of delinquents, but while arguing against a proposed rule that would give other senators more power to take action against senators who don’t pay their taxes, Brown revealed that he wasn’t even sure if he owed any state or federal government taxes because he hasn’t filed a tax return for the past two years.

Make that 23 for the Georgia list. How many other government officials likewise fail to pay?

But regardless of what elected officials do, and regardless of how unfair the tax system may be, a tax revolt is not the answer. Read the Bible from cover to cover. You will not find one instance where one of God’s men led a protest against a human government unless the government required that they act against God’s law.

In fact, it is the requirement of every Christian to pay the taxes he or she owes. God commands that you pay your taxes.

Paul wrote: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1, Revised Standard Version throughout). Paul speaks emphatically to every soul—every person. This means you, your grandma, me—all of us. And, as Paul highlights, God gives our rulers their authority to levy taxes in the first place.

Continuing, Paul says, “For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due” (verses 6-7).

Jesus Christ too was confronted with the question of paying taxes—a tax that most people of the day felt was unjust. On one occasion, some of the religious leaders, attempting to trick Christ, asked: “Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (Matthew 22:17).

If Jesus spoke against paying taxes, they could turn Him over to Roman officials for His rebellion against Roman law. And if He favored them, He could be viewed as holding pro-Roman feelings.

But Jesus had a calm and wise answer no one could refute: “‘Show me the money for the tax.’ And they brought him a coin. And Jesus said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’” (verses 19-21).

The Roman government, whether just or unjust, had the authority to collect taxes. Jesus did not justify a tax revolt. If Caesar had demanded a tax, then the tax was to be paid. But Jesus was careful to point out one must not neglect his duty to God while fulfilling one’s tax obligations to the nation or the state.

Stay with the established tax laws no matter how seemingly unfair they seem, and regardless of whether our tax officials practice what they preach. Take every exemption the government allows—but never protest taxation by refusing to pay what is required. Obey God, and you will be blessed.

And know this: Taxes will eventually be a thing of the past.

The Bible plainly says that a new worldwide economic system will soon be implemented. A simple 10 percent tithing system will replace the 67,000-page tax code and the accompanying million-plus pages of regulations. And everyone, rich and poor alike, will pay back to God (the Being who owns the Earth and everything in it) a simple 10 percent of any increase.

The resultant efficiency savings and reduction in tax fraud alone will revolutionize the economy. A time of peace, prosperity and equality under the law awaits all.

For information on tithing, read “How You Can Prosper in a Recession!”