“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
— Matthew 22:21
When I became a stay-at-home mom, I thought I was leaving behind the hustle of monthly deductions, company tax forms, and BIR paperwork.
But I was wrong.
Because even when you’re not formally employed, the responsibility to honor God with your finances, including paying taxes, never really goes away.
This is a story of how I struggled, got convicted, cried, researched, and eventually obeyed — all because God gently reminded me:
“This, too, is part of your calling.”
From Mommy Mode to Income Mode
After leaving the corporate world to focus on raising my child, I slowly started earning again through freelance work, content creation, and brand partnerships.
At first, it was just “extra income,” so I didn’t think much about formalities.
But as the months went by, the income grew. And so did the uneasiness in my heart.
Sure, I was already paying as a voluntary member of SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth, which was manageable.
But taxes? Filing? Registering as a self-employed individual?
Nakaka-praning. Nakaka-anxiety.
Just the idea of walking into a BIR office made me want to crawl back to bed.
My Honest Struggles with the System
I’ll be real with you.
I tried to do it on my own. Downloaded forms. Watched a few tutorials. Pero parang lalo akong naliito.
So I hired someone to help me.
At first, okay naman. But eventually, na-ghost ako.
Literally no replies. Left me hanging with half-baked documents and unanswered questions.
I reached out to others, but everyone had different answers.
“Depende yan sa RDO mo.”
“Dapat ganito yung receipt mo.”
“Baka ma-penalty ka.”
I felt stuck. Overwhelmed. Scared.
And honestly? I just wanted to quit.
The Verse That Changed My Perspective
One day during my quiet time, I stumbled on Romans 13:6-7:
“This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants… Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes.”
Boom. Right in the heart. 
That verse hit me like a gentle but firm hug from God.
It reminded me that paying taxes isn’t just about obeying the government, it’s about honoring God, who placed authority for order and accountability.
I Finally Took the Leap
So I surrendered my fears to God and took the next step.
I did it myself, with trembling fingers and a lot of prayers.
I binge-watched webinars, read BIR guides (na parang legal documents), and joined Facebook groups.
Slowly, I figured it out.
And by God’s grace, I finally registered as a self-employed taxpayer.
A few days later, emails started coming in. Clients, sponsors, project opportunities.
And guess what they all asked:
“Are you registered with the BIR?”
Thank God I was.
If not, I would’ve missed all those doors opening.
Filing Taxes is Still a Struggle… But It’s Worth It
Let’s be honest: Filing quarterly tax forms? Navigating eBIR forms? Withholding? 2307? 1701A?
It’s still confusing at times.
There are moments I still want to give up.
But each time I file, I remember:
“Lord, this is for You. I’m doing this not for man, but for Your glory.”
A Little Encouragement
Maybe you’re reading this and you’re in that same messy place I was in:
- You’re earning online or on the side, but not registered yet.
- You want to obey God, but the system is too intimidating.
- You’ve heard of government corruption and feel discouraged.
- Or maybe… you just don’t know where to start.
Friend, I get you. I really do.
But here’s the truth that changed everything for me:
Even if the system is flawed, our obedience is not wasted.
We pay not because the world is fair, but because God is just.
Final Thoughts: Give to Caesar, Give to God
Yes, there are issues in the system.
Yes, it’s hard.
Yes, it’s tempting to delay or avoid it altogether.
But when we honor God with the money we earn and give what’s due, even in taxes, we are being faithful stewards.
We may not always see immediate rewards, but trust me…
Obedience opens doors that hustle alone can’t.
Have you been struggling with taxes too?
Let me know in the comments or send me a message.
I’d love to pray with you, encourage you, or share resources that helped me.
And if you found this post helpful, please share it with a fellow freelancer or entrepreneur.
Let’s help each other grow, not just financially, but spiritually, too.