A Soldier's Wages

I read the following passage from Luke 3 last week.  It was when John the Baptist was preaching to the people around Jordan and preparing the way for Jesus.  He was encouraging the people to be baptised, to repent, and to live out their faith.  The people had some questions for John and the very last question with it's answer seemed to leap out of the pages at me.

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 

     John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

 

Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

     “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

 

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

     He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

Be content with your pay.

Ouch.  That's specific.

I can almost hear John saying it. 

Be content with your pay.

 

I am not the soldier, but I have complained about my soldier's pay.  (Even the overseas pay.) 

Then, three days ago this article was brought to my attention.  With the government having not budgeted correctly, there is a chance that we might not get paid on April 1st.  There is a bill being prepared in the House of Representatives that would allow the government to continue operating, but it is uncertain at this point. 

Is it not amazing how God brings specific scripture into our life at specific times?  The passage had already convicted my heart when reading it last week, but after reading the article it has even a new life.

At this point we are not concerned about the pay.  Our God has provided richly for us. 

So what are we to do?  I pray that we might reflect the attitude of Christ so that others may see His glory.  

With, or without pay.    

Romans 13: 1-10

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.  For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.  Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

Our country has not made the best financial decisions, but our leaders still deserve our respect.  My husband also joined the Military for reasons other than a paycheck.  With that, I am honored to have married a man who has a sense of duty to work for and defend our beloved nation!