It’s A Free Country- Why Do We Have To Pay Tolls?
Answer: Living in a “free country” means that our highest laws guarantee our right to say and do certain things, not that our country doesn’t cost us anything.
For example, we have freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion. That means we can say, publish, and worship pretty much whatever we want.
But we don’t have total freedom, because our country needs laws and rules so that everything will run smoothly. That is, the freedom we do have works because we have limits on it.
Governments need money for paying leaders, police officers, firefighters, teachers, and other workers, and for building and repairing things like bridges and roads.
The citizens provide this money by paying taxes and tolls. The laws of a country are not the same as God’s laws, but God tells us to respect the government and to obey its laws.
So we pay tolls, wear seat belts, stop at red traffic lights, and follow the speed limits.
Key verse: For the Lord’s sake, obey every law of your government. Obey the laws of the king as head of the state. (1 Peter 2:13)
Related verses: Romans 13:1-3; Colossians 2:10; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17
Related questions: Why do I have to wear my seat belt? Why do kids ride their bikes when cars are coming?
Note to parents: You can explain to your child that God wants us to obey the government because he established it. The rules that the government makes are meant to keep us safe.
If The Law Says Something Is Right But God Says It’s Wrong, Who’s Right?
Answer: The Bible tells us to obey the government. But when a government law goes against what God wants us to do, we should obey God instead of the government.
God is in charge of the government and not the other way around. For example, if the government passed a law making it illegal to pray, we should break the law and pray anyway.
The same would be true about worshiping God, reading the Bible, and telling others about Christ.
And if the government were to make it OK to lie and steal, we still shouldn’t do those things because they go against God’s law.
God created and rules the universe. No one can have higher authority than God. So we must always obey him first.
Key verse: Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
Related verses: Daniel 3:5-23; 6:1-28; Romans 13:1- 3; 1 Peter 2:13-17
Related questions: Why do governments make such stupid rules? How come adults can swear and smoke but I can’t?
Note to parents: This could be a good opportunity to explain to your child that God is the ultimate authority on what is right.
His standards are right for all people, all times, all places-whether the government agrees or not.