April 15th has long been highlighted on the calendar of most Americans, either literally or at least mentally. With the age of the internet, E-filing, and on-line tax help and software, we have finally managed to see the “Reduction In Paper Act” become more of a reality in our lives. I guess I am one of those die-hard old-timers who refuses to trust the internet for filing my tax forms. But then, I’m not so sure that the Post Office is all that reliable either. However, I have this sneaky suspicion that the Post Office takes special care of those packages mailed to the Internal Revenue Service if for no other reason than the fact that it is the IRS that collects the funds to pay the salaries of the Post Office; you might call it “self-survival.”
Like a number of you, I placed my tax return in the mail early . Others are determined to procrastinate, and some mail their return in extra early hoping to get their “refund” check sooner (maybe even before the government runs out of money). But whether early or late, last month or next month, electronically or by snail mail, it is only a matter of time until the IRS examines that return. The wheels of government may grind slowly at times, but they do grind. And while I have only been audited one time there remains in the back of my mind the realization that I may have to stand before a representative from the IRS and give an account of my actions for this, or any other tax year. But you know what? Such an “audit” will be nothing compared to that great “audit” that each and every one of us will face come Judgment Day. Oh, to be sure, none will escape; we will all give an account (2 Cor. 5:10). And while the wheels of Divine justice may seem to grind slowly, be assured that God’s judgment will be swift and sure when the time comes for our Lord to return to gather His own. The appointment has been set (Hebrews 9:27), the time and place stipulated by Almighty God Himself. We will not have to provide any records of “business expenses,” or “charitable contributions” because our omnipotent Judge will know the inner most thoughts of our heart (Heb. 4:12-13). While an “at random, computer selected” audit by the IRS is only a mild probability, our appearance before God is an inevitable reality.
Now let me ask you something. Which event do you fear the most? The POSSIBLE audit by an IRS agent, or the INEVITABLE audit by God Almighty? Think about it!
by Tom Wacaster