Taxation III

And so, we have two forms of taxation with biblical precedence.  First, we have a flat tax, the poll or head tax.  Second, we have a progressive tithe-tax.  The first apparently takes care of the civil order expenses (and is controlled by the civil order).  The second takes care of the ecclesiastical, educational, and social welfare needs of the society.  But the tithe is not directed at all by the civil order, and even the ecclesiastical order does not have full control over the direction of the tithe.  Every third year, the tithe is given locally to support the local Levites, the poor and the foreigner, with the believer taking a vow before God that he had given all of his tithe according to God's commands (Deut 26:12-15).

In both situations, society would be strongly motivated to encourage a robust covenant community that followed the commandments of the Word.  They would be motivated because revenue would flow to deal with the needs of the community and the general welfare of the society.

And of course, worthy of note - no sales taxes, no property taxes (the earth is the LORD's), no inheritance taxes, and no other taxes to speak of.  (And people think that imposing the OT law on us would be oppressive!)