God is a flat-taxer.

“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord.” Leviticus 27:30

In the Old Testament, God asked for 10% of everyone’s income, straight up.  People could give more if they felt like it, but 10% was the requirement for everyone, regardless of income or capabilities.

He went even further though and instituted a sort of reverse progressive tax, or regressive tax.  At the time the Israelites were counted, each man was required to give a half shekel of silver (about 6 grams).(Exodus 38)

Regardless of income, each man had to give the same amount of silver.  This tax was more burdensome to the poor than to the rich.

When Jesus came, he asked his followers to voluntarily give 100%.  The tithe still stood, but he said that we should really give everything.

This is why I am not a communist, or a socialist, or any kind of leftist, (don’t think that makes me an authoritarian either).

The key to Jesus new outlook on income is that it’s voluntary.  This is critical to the gospel message.

Our vision of communal living is not at all based on a governmental system of forced economic equality.

The government requires some taxes to fulfill essential functions.  But the decision to share our income must be voluntary, or it’s meaningless.