The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, but is terror to the workers of iniquity. (Prov 21:15)

Protect & Defend
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:19-21)

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. (Rom 13:1-5)

Civil Law
The law of the LORD is perfect. (Ps 19:7)

You are therefore to keep all My statutes and all My ordinances and do them, so that the land will not spew you out. (Lev 20:22)

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God. (1 Tim 1:8-11)

Civil Justice
He shall make restitution in full for his wrong and add to it one-fifth of it, and give it to him whom he has wronged. (Num 5:7)

The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you. The rest will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such an evil thing among you. Thus you shall not show pity. (Deut 19:16-21)

If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death. (Lev 24:17)

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. (Eccl 8:11)

How Much Tax Is Due?
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Rom 13:6-7)

(10% = Oppression) He will take a tenth of your seed and of your vineyards and give to his officers and to his servants… He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants. (1 Sam 8:15-17)

(20% = Slavery) I have today bought you and your land for Pharaoh; now, here is seed for you, and you may sow the land. At the harvest you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four-fifths shall be your own for seed of the field and for your food. (Gen 47:23-24)

Read & Discover: Prov 28, Isa 5:20-25

Print & Share Lesson Handout | Next Lesson

Dig Deeper: Get the revolutionary new eBook, Full Stewardship, FREE right now (see below).