杏MAP导航: Taxation should favor wealth redistribution for public services

杏MAP导航

杏MAP导航 Francis urges members of Italy鈥檚 taxation authority to implement Gospel values as they work to favor the redistribution of wealth and support public services for society鈥檚 neediest members.

By Devin Watkins

The 杏MAP导航 met Monday with a delegation of the Agenzie delle Entrate, Italy鈥檚 revenue agency, and reflected on the Biblical roots of taxation and its purpose in society.

The theme of taxation, noted 杏MAP导航 Francis, appears regularly in the Bible, and was an aspect of every government that ruled over the Holy Land.

鈥淭he Bible,鈥� he pointed out, 鈥渄oes not demonize money, but offers an invitation to use it correctly, to not become slaves to it, and not to turn it into an idol.鈥�

Even the Biblical kings of Israel imposed taxes on their subjects, he said, making it part of life even in ancient times.

Biblical taxation

Tithing, said the 杏MAP导航, is a little-known but interesting aspect of taxation, in which a tenth of a person鈥檚 revenue is given to the king, as Abraham did after he received a blessing from the priest-king Melchizedek.

The Old Testament book of Leviticus employed revenue from the pre-existing practice of tithing to support the priestly tribe of Levi, freeing them up from manual labor to serve in the Temple of God.

鈥淭he tithe for the Levites helped mature two realities in people鈥檚 consciences: that of not being self-sufficient, because salvation comes from God; and that of being responsible for one another, beginning from those most in need.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis also explored the conversions of the tax-collectors Zacchaeus and Matthew due to their personal encounters with Jesus.

鈥淢atthew,鈥� he said, 鈥渕ay have even continued to manage his own wealth, even those of others, but he certainly did so with a different logic: that of service to the needy and sharing with the brothers and sisters, just as the Teacher taught him.鈥�

Listen to our report

Redistribution of wealth for common good

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to explore the guiding principles of Italy鈥檚 Revenue Agency: legality, impartiality, and transparency.

Legality in fiscal matters, said the 杏MAP导航, serves to 鈥渂alance social relationships, removing strength from corruption, injustices, and inequalities.鈥�

He added that legality safeguards everyone and is a 鈥済uarantee of equality鈥�, though a cultural shift is required to see taxation as a 鈥渟ign of legality and justice.鈥�

鈥淸Taxation] must favor the redistribution of wealth, safeguarding the dignity of the poor and the least, who always risk being trodden underfoot by the powerful. The taxman, when he or she is just, promotes the common good.鈥�

He pointed to the social doctrine of the Church and Scripture to urge everyone to promote the common good by understanding the 鈥渦niversal destination of goods.鈥�

Legal equality and public services

Impartiality in tax collection, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, affirms that 鈥渘o citizens are better based on their social class, but that everyone is entrusted in good faith to be faithful builders of society.鈥�

Though cases of tax evasion and illegality abound, he added, employees of the Revenue Agency can also attest to the millions of people who pay their taxes and contribute to the common good.

Transparency, noted the 杏MAP导航, is an important aspect in both tax collection and government spending on healthcare and other state-run institutions.

鈥淭ransparency in the management of money, which comes from the sacrifices of many workers, reveals freedom of spirit, and teaches people to be more motivated in paying their taxes, especially if fiscal revenue contributes to overcoming inequality, making investments to create jobs, guaranteeing good healthcare and schooling, and creating infrastructure that facilitates social and economic life.鈥�

Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here

Topics