Why Should You Pay Property Taxes If You Already Own Your House?
Answer: One kind of tax that local governments charge is property tax. Property taxes are paid by people who own property.
Every person who owns land or buildings pays a certain amount of tax every year.
The amount they pay depends on the value of their land or building.
The owners of some buildings, such as churches, schools, post offices, and so forth, do not have to pay taxes. They are “tax-exempt.”
The government uses property taxes to pay for things that landowners and building owners need.
These include water lines, sewer service, roads, streetlights, and things like that.
Even if your house is paid for, you still need these services every year.
That’s why you have to pay property taxes each year.
It’s just another way for the government to collect money from its citizens to help pay for important public services.
Key verse: [Jesus] said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God.” (Matthew 22:21)
Related verses: Genesis 47:23-26; Matthew 17:27; 22:17-22; Romans 13:6-7
Related question: Why can’t the government pay its own bills?
Note to parents: It is easy for people to forget that they are part of a community that depends on the cooperation of all its members.
The services provided by property taxes benefit everyone.
Why Do People Waste Their Money On Dumb Things?
Answer: People get bored quickly with something new that they just bought because they thought it would be better than it is.
They may have believed the commercials that said the product would be exciting, but it really wasn’t.
When they finally got the product, it wasn’t what they thought it would be.
For example, they may have seen a game that looked like fun for the whole family to play. But what looked good on TV really wasn’t very good at all.
Some people expect a product to do more than it can. A girl might think that a special dress will make her popular.
Or a boy might think that a certain brand of basketball shoes will make him a better player. Then they discover the truth.
Many people “impulse buy.” They go into a store not planning to buy anything, but then they see something they want and change their mind.
They didn’t plan to buy it, but it looked good in the store. Then later they wonder why they ever bought this thing that they don’t need.
Key verse: Then [Jesus] said, “Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own.” (Luke 12:15)
Related verses: Matthew 6:24; Philippians 4:12; Hebrews 11:25; 13:5; 1 John 2:16
Related question: Why are people never happy with what they have?
Why Do People Waste Their Money On Dumb Things?
Answer: Some purchases really are dumb, but people make them because at the time they think they need whatever they buy.
They may waste their money because they believe the advertisements.
Maybe they want to have what their friends have. Or maybe they just don’t value their money and don’t mind throwing it away.
But be careful about calling someone’s decision dumb. Sometimes what may seem dumb to you is really smart.
Remember, you don’t know the other person’s situation in life or his or her needs. So don’t judge others for what they buy.
They may think that you waste your money on some of the things you buy. It’s easy to criticize someone else’s spending.
Key verse: Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)
Related verses: Luke 6:41-42; James 5:19-20
Related question: Why do people spend so much money on things if they will just lose it all when they die?
Note to parents: Try not to criticize how others spend their money. It is an unhealthy habit that cultivates the wrong type of attitude about other people. And if you do it, so will your kids.