Does God Care about Tariffs?

A tariff is a tax that one country imposes on goods and services imported from another country to influence trade, raise revenues, or protect its competitive advantages. The origins of tax systems date back to biblical times. In Genesis, we find Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel. His journey includes being sold into slavery by his brothers and later becoming a leader in Egypt. Joseph established a 20% agricultural tax, setting a precedent for state financing (Genesis 41). He explained that Pharaoh’s dreams indicated seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of scarcity. Joseph recommended a 20% tax on grain during the “good” years to provide the necessary stockpile for the Egyptian kingdom during the “bad” years. As history tells us, Joseph was correct in his interpretation.

(Genesis 41:34)¹NIV New International Version Translations – “Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.”

The tax on a portion of grain in Pharaoh’s time was not to build wealth for the kingdom but to establish a “contingency” of food to save the people of Egypt from starvation during an upcoming drought. Think of it as maybe the very first “Social Security System.”

In today’s world, the use of tariffs is under attack. In a 2025 article by Time Magazine, one nation, China, mocks the U.S. using an interesting approach. A link to the article²https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/chinese-mockery-of-u-s-manufacturing-reveals-economic-truth/ar-AA1CX4cB?ocid=socialshare&cvid=3f65d9a9d33f4dfa90f1bea716ea0a00&ei=8&PC=EMMX01 can be found in the footnotes on this page. The Chinese mockery is based on their opinion that the U.S. worker doesn’t want to work the low-skilled, low-paying jobs. However, facts indicate that over 90,000 manufacturing companies have disappeared from the U.S. The majority have relocated to China. These lost U.S. companies employed people with skills!

In 2024, the average annual income in China is approximately 41,300 yuan (roughly $5,620), with urban households earning around 54,200 yuan (approximately $7,375) and rural households about 23,100 yuan (roughly $3,145). This reflects significant income inequality between urban and rural areas. “If you look at the income distribution, it isn’t that great,” he said. “So, you’ve got 250 million people living on something like $3 daily. So, you’ve got a lot of people close to poverty.³https://kslnewsradio.com/business-economy/the-standard-of-living-in-china-compared-to-the-united-states/2022516/” I am not sure about you, but I am thankful for what our country has accomplished as a free nation. We enjoy a decent standard of living.

Tariffs can be protective taxes that underpin a country’s productivity by ensuring fair or favorable global pricing. Today, tariffs aim to protect a nation’s industries, enabling citizens to earn wages and support their families. Then, of course, you could live on $3 a day, and everything we make in our country would be cheap!

(Psalm 82:4) – “Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked”

The above passage from our Palms highlights that a government is responsible for protecting its people, including implementing taxes, such as tariffs, to protect domestic industries and workers. Certain countries also fail to care for their people. Children, for example, are frequently exploited as cheap labor to produce lower-cost products. Our Bible positions people’s welfare as a priority. Justice and equity are central to the biblical message, which calls for balanced governmental policies in international trade. Supporting vulnerable nations through imports and strengthening their local industries aligns with the principle of helping others, just as it cautions against the enabling of slavery, abuse, and neglect of human rights.

Consistent diligence in work is essential for achieving professionalism and efficiency. Employees should strive to enhance their companies’ competitiveness through dedicated efforts and contribute positively to the nation’s trade balance. Such diligence demonstrates respect for work and effective stewardship of resources.

(Ezra 4:13) – “Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and eventually the royal revenues will suffer.

In the Book of Ezra, we also find the idea of taxes and tributes (another name for tariffs) used to generate funds for the kingdom. One concern was the ability to defend the nation with strong walls. Therefore, the taxes and tributes were used to protect the people.

(Matthew 17:25) – “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”

Even the New Testament Gospel of Matthew references the collection of duties (tariffs) and taxes. By now, the pattern should be clear. People in authority could and would levy taxes on their people and tariffs on other nations. So it is not the taxes that should be the issue, but what the leaders of nations accomplish with their collected funds. A leader is to guide, protect, and serve their followers. Taxes and leadership are meant to coexist synergistically, utilizing the nation’s resources to move its people closer to God. Here are several examples of Godly leaders’ roles from the Bible.

• Exodus 3:10-12: Moses is a quintessential leader who, under God’s direction, led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness. His leadership is marked by intercession, lawgiving, and shepherding the people.
• Judges 2:16: The role of judges, such as Deborah and Gideon, highlights leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression and to restore justice and order.
• 1 Samuel 16:12-13: Kings like David and Solomon were anointed to rule with justice and wisdom, serving as shepherds of God’s people.
• Isaiah 1:10-17: Prophets, including Isaiah and Jeremiah, served as God’s mouthpieces, calling leaders and the nation to repentance and faithfulness to the covenant.
• Mark 10:42-45: Jesus teaches that true greatness comes from serving others.
• John 10:11: Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
• Acts 2:42: The apostles, such as Peter and Paul, were foundational leaders who spread the gospel and established churches.
• 1 Peter 5:1-3: Elders, or overseers, were designated to guide the local congregations, upholding sound doctrine and attending to the spiritual requirements of the community.
• Titus 1:5-9: Deacons served by attending to practical needs, allowing the apostles and elders to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word.

Apostle Paul takes a more direct approach to taxes, duties, tributes, and other similar matters.

(Romans 13:6-7) – “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.”

Historically, leaders have often misused taxation, diverting funds for their self-enrichment rather than benefiting the populace. The Bible affirms a government’s right to collect taxes and emphasizes the importance of fairness in trade. When tariffs help correct trade imbalances and protect domestic industries and workers, they serve a moral purpose. Proverbs 20:10: “Unequal weights and unequal measures are both like an abomination to the Lord,” emphasizes the importance of fairness in trade, including tariffs and trade policies.

(Revelation 18:1-3) – “After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’  She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”

However, the Book of Revelations clarifies that the “kings,” the leaders who have plundered their people’s wealth for their pleasure, remain under God’s authority. God has control of everything. As a result of their sins as leaders, their earthly kingdom and wealth will eventually be taken from them, and they will be judged accordingly.

One Last Point

(Matthew 27:35) – “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

• Fulfillment of Prophecy: This act fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 22:18: “They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment“. This prophecy, written centuries before, pointed to the Messiah’s suffering and was realized in the events of Jesus’ crucifixion.
• Customary Practice: In the Roman context, soldiers were often entitled to the possessions of executed criminals as part of their compensation. Jesus’ clothing was one of His few possessions, and the soldiers divided His garments among themselves.
• Significance of the Seamless Tunic: Jesus’ tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. Rather than tearing it, the soldiers cast lots to decide who would get it. This seamless garment symbolized Christ’s unity and perfection, like the high priest’s robe in the Old Testament. The robe was expensive and of high quality.
• Symbolism of Humility and Sacrifice: The casting of lots for Jesus’ clothes also emphasized His humility and poverty. Jesus, who was, by nature, God, took on the form of a servant and was stripped of His garments, highlighting His sacrifice and vulnerability.

Jesus owned an expensive robe! He did not own a closet full of costly robes. He did not own a closet full of cheap imported robes. We are all responsible for limiting our consumption to what is necessary. The good news is that you can have good and lovely things! Just don’t have closets full of things made by slave labor, or children who work under hostile conditions. It’s not always about purchasing cheap things. Taxes and tariffs are all under God’s eye, so rest easy and let God handle things.

Contemplations

• How does the Bible’s concept of tariffs (tributes, duties, and/or taxes) relate to modern economic policies
  • Ideas for Explore: How can the biblical example of Joseph in Genesis 41 inform our understanding of tariffs and their role in protecting a nation’s economy today?
• What is the biblical perspective on the responsibility of governments to protect their citizens through economic measures like tariffs?
  • Ideas to Explore: Reflect on Psalm 82:4, which emphasizes the importance of rescuing the weak and the needy. How do tariffs align with the biblical mandate for governments to protect their people, especially ensuring fair trade and preventing exploitation?
• How can we apply the principles of fairness and justice in trade, as highlighted in the Bible, to contemporary global trade practices?
  • Ideas to Explore: Proverbs 20:10 condemns the use of unequal weights and measures. How does this principle apply to modern trade policies to ensure fairness and justice in international commerce?