A person I have dealt with, and paid money to, for services relating to water damages in a basement, calls himself a Christian. We had conversation about things relating to Christian issues while he was doing the job. When it came time to pay him, I wrote the check, ( he overcharged, too, and I'm talking about a lot of money) and he said he would send me a receipt ( income tax purposes; damage to property) It's been 6 weeks, and altho I have asked him on several occassions, he says he'll send it, but never does. I'm sure he doesn't want to claim this on his income tax!
( I need to,claim this, therefore I need the receipt)
My question is, do you feel he is being dishonest?
If he was a Christian, would he say he'd give a receipt, but live up to his word?
Is he "avoiding" paying tax on this income, and how Christian is that?
In all honesty, I trusted him completely, feeling I was dealing with a "Christian"...I guess I should have been a bit wiser, huh?
2006-12-01 00:49:30 · 43 answers · asked by JoJoCieCie 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To "Master of"...my point is that a person who claims to be a Christian, is in my eyes responsible for their deeds, and should live up to the moral code. I'm sure it's not only so called Christians; it can be others, as well.
The actual question is whether this is right, to not claim income....Christian or otherwise.
2006-12-01 00:58:42 · update #1
to "sister steph"...what are you so angry about? You missed the point of the question, yet you spouted off!!!
I simply wanted to know, without anger on my part, if this was the trait of a Christian. or of an honest man...I am interested in what others think. Please cool off!
2006-12-01 01:36:21 · update #2
I'm not bashing Christians, by any means...I'm a Christian too, and I would live up to what I feel is morally right..I could have said he was an athiest...would that have meant that I'm bashing all athiests???
2006-12-01 01:39:51 · update #3
to "God hates Liberals"...my my, aren't you off on a tangent! and how would you know God hates Liberals, anyway??? I'm really glad you took the time to give me an "intelligent" answer.! uh,,,thanks?
2006-12-02 01:51:30 · update #4
No I would not consider him to be a true christian. I would consider him to be the "talking christian" he talks the talk but he dont live the way he talks. Sounds to me like he could be a con artist. I would check about him with the better bussiness bureau. Even if you know him he still could be just out for the money. Sorry hun that you got done this way, but you know the old saying "we learn from our mistakes."
2006-12-01 00:57:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, in this day and age I have noticed alot of people tagging that they are a Christian company when they really aren't. After 6 weeks he definitely has had time to send you a receipt. Alot of companies take advantage of us by making us think that they are true Christians. What you can do is if he still hasn't sent a receipt for services, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and use your check as a receipt for your taxes.
2006-12-01 01:51:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry but it sounds as if you were taken 'for a ride'. To begin with, THIS is NOT a Christian Act. He may actually be a Christian and yet be sinful. It is written that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD". Even though he did not give you a receit, I believe that you can use a copy of the check that you wrote accompanied by a note from you or others that have knowledge of his work as a receipt for tax purposes. Please remember that we are not the ones that are to judge others GOD is!! HE will ultimately judge each and every one of us in The End. Spend time with family and keep watching your basement for "leaks". Keep your cool and enjoy the Holiday Season!
Eds
2006-12-01 01:08:16 · answer #3 · answered by Eds 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, avoiding taxes is not Christian. The Bible does say "Give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar" which actually specifically means taxes. There are also many references to being a good businessperson, honesty, avoiding greed, and obeying the laws where you live.
Everyone is saying that just because he's Christian, he's likely to have done this. Remember one thing...just because you state you are something, doesn't mean you are. I can tell you right now that I'm Halle Berry sitting at my computer cause I'm bored typing in Yahoo!Answers. That does not make it so. And religion and ethics are NOT the same thing; I agree with that poster. I have a Swedish friend who is an Atheist who goes to church with me when he visits America. That's not very Atheist, is it.
2006-12-01 00:58:43 · answer #4 · answered by irie.girl_2006 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi! A lot of people hide behind the label "Christian". They say, "Hey, I'm a Christian; I won't do you wrong." And in saying that, they may 'be' a Christian, but you have to look at this from another point of view. In being a Christian; Christians are also human. They do mess up in their dealings. I'm not trying to take up for him; I'm just trying to let you know to not trust someone completely with money and/or work just because they say they are a Christian. Christians do mess up, but you should also let him know: "hey, you told me you are a Christian, but you are not treating me right here". Because like I stated before some people can't be completely trusted: Christian or not. Hope I helped you out!
2006-12-01 01:09:42 · answer #5 · answered by Sweet home AL 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It always bothers me when someone is so open about their faith that they're willing to waste time talking to you about it when you've hired them to do a job. I don't judge someone I've hired on their faith, but their ability to prove they can do the work honestly and competently. If the guy can't even be bothered to give you a receipt, whether or not you have a cancelled check, makes no difference. I certainly would not recommend him to anyone else - he's proven his un-trustworthiness. Professing Christianity and doing something like that doesn't make him less of a Christian, I'm sure, but it doesn't speak well for him as a person.
2006-12-01 01:05:17 · answer #6 · answered by ReeRee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not up to us to judge, remember that. He may very well be taking advantage of a situation and trying to avoid some taxes, but you still may be able to claim the expense. Talk to an account or even your tax office. A cancelled cheque can be used as a receipt in certain cases. A phone call should determine whether you can use yours. If you don't get your cheques returned automatically, and if it is worth it to your tax return bottom line, pay the bank fee and get this one returned to you.
You will be alerting the tax people to the fact this guy has earned income, (but keep in mind he may report it regardless of his failure to provide you with a receipt). You have complied with the law as it applies to you. Let the law deal with the contractor on their terms and God deal with him on His.
2006-12-01 01:01:31 · answer #7 · answered by my_secret_life 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OH, bash the Christian without giving any other information besides what makes him look bad. Tell me, did you get an estimate before he started work? Did you ask him how much it might cost? Did you look into other companies or was his the only one in the whole world? Does he work for himself or for a company (the high price could have been his companies doing and you're here blaming him). WHat is going on in his life, have you asked? For all you know, he could be busy or have tried to send you out that reciept. You want us to think the worst because he's a Christian. Why not get some information before you critise. Answer my questions and we can see what is really going on. You never had to hire him you could have gotten a different company.
2006-12-01 01:00:27 · answer #8 · answered by sister steph 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Those who believe in God and choose to call themself Christian are far from perfect and it is not our place to judge, only God can judge. People who are Christian make mistakes and do wrong things as well. This is a sick world to live in, I am a strong believer and try to live my life as God would want me to but this life is a test, we're thrown into the dirtyness that makes up this world and its a challenge to be a positive Christian person. Some of us face decisions that we make the wrong choices at, Christian or not. Christians also deal with negativity and the devil trying to pull us into wrong doings and perhaps thats what happened here in your situation. Try not to judge someone based on being Christian or not...we are all people, we all face challenges of being good decent people in this world and although I don't agree with someone treating you this way, let God be the judge. I hope it works out for you.
2006-12-01 00:58:38 · answer #9 · answered by CoCo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. it's not Christian. But not to worry. You wrote a cheque, right? In the comments portion of the cheque, did you write "Plumbing Services?" That's a good as a receipt. And even if you didn't (and from now on you should do things like this) your bank has the cheque, and can give you a copy of it for tax purposes. You should have no problems.
Hope this helps. Cheers.
2006-12-01 00:55:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋