Dear Friend,

As I have spoken about God's desire to treat immigrants with fairness and kindness, several people who are US citizens have raised their concerns. The concern that I have heard the most is 'Immigrants don't pay taxes, so they get everything for free.'

Its a serious comment and I agree with the basic principle -- If God is blessing you, then you need to accept responsibilities. If you have a job, you need to pay taxes and contribute your own fair share plus some extra for another person who is in need.

So I want to share a paragraph from an article by Professor Stephen H. Legomsky of Washington University School of Law. His approach seems careful and based on valid studies instead of just collecting opinions. His bio is here http://law.wustl.edu/Faculty/index.asp?id=274

He writes, "The fiscal question is trickier. Immigrant children receive a free public education, and some immigrants receive welfare. Yet, like everyone else, immigrants pay taxes. They pay income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, gasoline taxes, and social security taxes.

Do immigrants pay more in taxes than they receive in government services? It depends on whom one asks and on several other variables. For all levels of government combined--federal, state, and local--the more credible studies show immigrants to be a net fiscal benefit, paying significantly more in taxes than they receive in government services. Immigrants are, however, a net cost for some states and most local governments..." http://academic.udayton.edu/race/02rights/immigr03.htm

So .... , if you are an immigrant (legal or non status) in New York City, you are paying a fair share. You actually pay a little more in taxes than you collect in benefits. And, like most tax payers, you probably knew it even before I found this article :) !

That doesn't solve all the issues related to immigration. But it also means that our current system meets the Biblical standard that we all have to carry responsibility for ourselves and for another if we have the money to do it.

The other good news is that we have a great service this Sunday and ..... you will get far more than you give.

We continue our 'More Than Survivors' strategy. People have been telling me how practical this series is to take a step forward in Christian living. Its 10am Sunday.

God bless - meaning it!

Dr. Ron
www.onechurchnyc.com