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It's impossible to talk Christianly about money without talking about stewardship. Most commonly, this involves acknowledging the many temptations of wealth, and exploring the call to be responsible for what God has provided. On one side of the stewardship discussion stand the likes of Tony Campolo and Ron Sider, calling for increased giving as a means of achieving social justice and economic equality. On the other, we hear well-developed arguments for the Christian foundations of market ideology and the role of Christians in business.

Most of us can see the valid points made on both sides of the question. Even though they're often presented as opposing viewpoints, for most people, earning and giving actually represent a very important balance every individual budget has to strike. How much can I give? How much can I earn? What does it mean to live responsibly within a capitalist system?

Tax time has a tendency to highlight all of these issues. At no other time of the year do we know so exactly how much we made, how much we gave, and how much we're going to appreciate that little bonus when the tax return shows up in our mailboxes or bank accounts. But this raises concern about a whole different set of habits and behaviors.

Scripture has a lot to say about how we spend our money, and sometimes we don't listen so well.

No one will deny that tax time is stressful. Gathering the necessary paperwork, wading through the forms, and worrying (we hope unnecessarily) about an audit can drive some people to distraction. Missionaries and Christian ministries have struggled as changes to tax codes both in the United States and abroad have forced them to rethink their goals, best practices, and fundraising strategies. As these individuals and organizations work to get their finances in order, some begin to see taxes as necessary, some as a necessary evil.

Most Christians have strong perspectives on the relative importance of taxes, and see them as either helpful or harmful to social development and a sense of personal responsibility. But there's no denying that for many, taxes represent the crux of church/state relations, and by extension, how they view government involvement in their lives.

I've done my taxes myself since I got out of college. Every year, I grumble about loss of earnings and what I would rather be doing with the money I'm about to send the government. I make fiscal year resolutions: I'll spend more wisely. I'll give more generously. I'll save more. But by the time I get my tax return, I've walked to the public park, chatted with a friend who teaches in the public schools, and noticed that the pothole down the street has been fixed. And suddenly, I'm a little less angry at the government. I'm a little less anxious to save my money. I'd much rather spend it.

And of course, I'm not alone. Over and over again throughout the years critics have warned of the increasing prevalence of debt in the United States. Some believe that the contemporary and historical significance of this problem points to deeper theological ramifications. As Christianity Today columnist Andy Crouch suggests, the debt burden on Gen-Xers may be less a fiscal problem than a sign of America's increasing spiritual deficit.

Regardless of debt restrictions, some may take advantage of a little budgetary wiggle room to take a trip or improve the home. Other Americans may choose a wiser route and reinvest the money. But a question lingers in other minds: Is the stock market a form of gambling? We've all heard stories of people who lost it all "playing the markets," but can we really equate that to someone who nickels and dimes away days at the slots?

We want to be certain we know the difference between taking wise risks in the market and gambling away our money, especially as more and more states turn to Indian and riverboat casinos as sources of revenue. The new reliance on casinos as a way to increase the tax base and fund government programs has had some troubling consequences. Not only do casinos become a more acceptable family getaway, gambling addictions are on the rise, and more and more senior citizens are gambling away life savings.

And this, it seems to me, is the heart of the matter. Too often, we're spending our money poorly, and we know it. When people complain about taxation, they're often complaining about the way government (mis)spends the funds. Individuals often spend to fill a misdirected sense of longing. We have to wonder: Are we gambling away our money on things that don't really matter?

By most accounts, spending the money where it matters begins with the historical practice of tithing. With a greater concentration of funds, many churches have the opportunity to expand their social programs and offer more to their communities. Christians have been among the first to call for the forgiveness of international debts and the alleviation of poverty. The entrepreneurial spirit has even found creative ways to raise funds for charitable causes in ways that benefit the needy on both the supply and the giving side of the process.

As it turns out, Christians are some of the United States' most generous givers. But there's always room for growth. The biblical calls to give freely come frequently, as do the promises of prosperity. As we take stock of our financial priorities this tax-season, let's be sure to take time to reflect on which line items really matter. With respect and consideration we'll answer Christ's call to give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, to give unto God what is God's.     

Melody Pugh is a Chicago-based freelance writer and graduate student in the humanities.