[Skepolitic]

Post 45 contains three exhortations for the king to deal with the poor with justice and mercy. None of the three citations mandates that the king collect taxes for the purpose of wealth redistribution.

The 4th citation in Post 45 is Paul’s instruction to “Let every soul be subject to the higher powers” and its elucidation. That is an instruction for individual behavior, and has nothing to do with wealth redistribution.

Certainly you can do better than that!

[DannyTN]

"None of the three citations mandates that the king collect taxes for the purpose of wealth redistribution."

How does a king get his wealth, if not by taxation? So when God orders kings of the Bible to have mercy on the poor and to consider their causes, was that not an order to use the king's wealth that was collected through taxes?

[DannyTN]

"Post 45 contains three exhortations for the king to deal with the poor with justice and mercy.

So to "Consider the cause of the poor and needy" means what?

• to just think about it, but not do anything?
• maybe it only refers to poor and needy that are accused in the courts. you can ignore the rest of the poor and needy?

>The 4th citation in Post 45 ...is an instruction for individual behavior, and has nothing to do with wealth redistribution.

The 4th citation is there to point out that Paul said rulers, the ones you accuse of theft, were "God's ministers". And that individuals are to pay taxes.