As one who believes a progressive tax system, and not a flat tax, is what is fair, I find this passage from Theodoret of Cyrus, discussing the sacrificial system in Israel, relevant:
Now, because some were affluent while others were living in poverty, he bade the former a calf, lamb, or a goat, the latter two turtle-doves or two young pigeons, and the poorest a little fine flour mixed with oil. As you can see, he required offerings commensurate with one’s wealth. –Theodoret of Cyrus, The Questions on the Octateuch: Volume 2. trans. Robert C Hill (Washington, DC: CUA Press, 2007), 5.
The social teaching of the Church, which promotes the preferential option for the poor, is the teaching we find throughout the whole of Scripture. The poor are the constant concern of God. The prophets spoke out against the kings and priests of Israel when they neglected the needs of the poor, or worse, burdened them with the desires of the state. Ancient Israel, like many modern states, believed its strength lay in the acquisition of arms and military treaties with their neighbors (such as Egypt). The infidelity was two-fold; it showed a lack of trust in God’s providence, but also, the treaties required Israel to collect tributes to give to their allies, tributes which ultimately burdened the poor and needy that Israel was supposed to care for. Is it not the same with the United States today, where our military might far outweighs any other tax use, and we now see people wanting a “flat tax” to promote this military state?
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