Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner General Dingani Banda has informed Christian men that paying taxes is not just a civic responsibility, but also a command from the Bible.
While speaking to the audience at the Men of Destiny Conference organized by Bread of Life Church International, Banda referenced scriptures like Romans 13:6–7 and Matthew 22:21 to back up his point.
“If you owe taxes, pay taxes,” he stated, adding, “Even Jesus said, ‘Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,’” — a comment that made the crowd laugh and nod in agreement.
The ZRA Commissioner General cautioned that avoiding taxes is like using “dishonest scales,” which Proverbs 11:1 clearly says the Lord hates.
Banda mentioned that ZRA is stepping up efforts to increase tax knowledge among all groups, including faith-based organizations and community members.
“The same energy we use in prayer, let’s also use it to understand our tax responsibilities,” he encouraged.
He stressed that expanding the tax base is essential to lessen Zambia’s reliance on donor support and outside loans, calling the current situation one of “chronic financial begging.”
“Imagine a grown man going around the neighborhood every day asking for nshima, salt, sugar… That’s us as a nation when we don’t meet our own needs,” Banda explained.
He told the audience that the government aims to increase domestic revenue to 21 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and that ZRA’s collection efforts are already funding important programs like free education, the expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and rural health services.
Wrapping up his speech, Banda compared taxes to seeds given by God to responsible caretakers.
“The Bible says God gives seed to the sower. Well, your taxes are that seed, brothers,” he concluded.
