You may recognise this, I’ve lifted it from an email I received this week.

The Tax System - Explained With Beer

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100.

If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

* The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
* The fifth would pay $1.
* The sixth would pay $3.
* The seventh would pay $7.
* The eighth would pay $12.
* The ninth would pay $18.
* The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that’s what they decided to do.

The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.

‘Since you are all such good customers,’ he said, ‘I’m going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20.’

‘Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.’

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his ‘fair share?’

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody’s share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man’s bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:
* The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
* The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
* The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
* The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
* The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
* The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

‘I only got a dollar out of the $20,’ declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, ‘but he got $10!’

‘Yeah, that’s right,’ exclaimed the fifth man. ‘I only Saved a dollar, too.

It’s unfair that he got ten times more than I!’

‘That’s true!!’ shouted the seventh man. ‘Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!’

‘Wait a minute,’ yelled the first four men in unison. ‘We didn’t get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!’

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn’t show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn’t have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

I heard someone mention this earlier this week, at the time I thought I
misunderstood, a material handling sheet for Trix?

Then I noticed it can you believe the need to specify that Trix is entirely
inert and safe for your use. I’m worried the Milk bottles on the fridge
don’t warn me that if I’m lactose intolerant I might be afflicted with
extreme unwellness!

Today I clocked just how dedicated Adam is to the ironicly-cool-again-Grunge
scene - how skanky is this wallet?

Look at the state of this thing, is it any wonder the other stuff he keeps in his pockets gets so funked up?

There is a tremendous back story to this email, get me to tell you it one day. For now below is the most amazing profession of un-requited love you’re ever going to read.

—–Original Message—–
From: Pauline XXXX[mailto:XXXX]
Sent: Monday, 1 November 2004 6:10 AM
To: Reynolds, Bob J
Subject: The story continues …

Bob, darling,

You are so hot, you sizzle…
Smooooooooooch…

I hope that you don’t mind my writing to you about serious matters..
I am not that eloquent of speech. I struggle for the words to express what is happening. I pray that the Lord will give me the right words. Perhaps that is why I find it easier to write. I shall be forthright, and say the words from my heart, and pray that the words of my heart will reach your heart, unhindered and with clarity.

I love you, Bob. I know not why, but I do. Jesus has told me that you are to be my husband, and that we will have a son; his name will be James.

It hasn’t been that long since we met. A mere 10 weeks ago. I am wondering how you felt about me. The signs are that this might not have been quite as unexpected for you as it was for me. It will be an absolute honour and awesome priviledge to be your wife and the mother of our children. This is so cool!!! If a little bit daunting and frightening. If this is from the Lord my God, I will believe and I will receive. I know that my God is able to give exceedingly abundantly above all that I can ask or imagine. Jesus, please light my way, Lord. The Word of the Lord is the light unto my path. Jesus, you are the reason that I live. Jesus, you are the reason that I sing. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. It is only because of you, Lord, that I have been able to find my way home. Father, may your will be done, Lord, and not my will. Abba Father, have your way. I am but a weak and pliable vessel in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ.

For many years, the Lord gave me a word in season with the word that he had given to Jeremiah, saying, “Do not marry or have children in this place.” For some time now, he has told me that I will not need to look for a partner, and that I should “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to me as well.” So, as a result, I really was not looking out for a partner, and what happened was quite an unexpected, but exciting, surprise. Up until this point, I hope that I have been faithful and obedient to the word of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that he has guided my steps as I attempt to walk upright before him daily. If I slip, whether that be occasionally or
frequently, His grace and mercy cover me. I will pray for us in anticipation of the Lord’s goodness and mercy. Lord Jesus Christ, I believe in you, and I belong to you. Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for all the blessings that you pour out on us, Lord. Lord, I thank you for this man, Bob Reynolds, whom you have chosen to be my husband and the father of our children. Lord, please bless this relationship and lead us from strength to strength.

We will be planted in the House of the Lord.
We will flourish as the Word promises.
We will be like trees planted on the riverbank.
We will bear fruit in its season.
Our leaves will never wither.
Everything we do will prosper.
(Psalm 1:3)

Lord, keep our love and relationship fresh and flourishing. Those who are planted in the House of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still beart fruit in old age; they shall
be fresh and flourishing. (Psalm 92:13-14)

Lord Jesus Christ, Father, that you will bless us indeed. Enlarge our territory. May your hand be upon us at all times. Keep us from evil. That we may not cause pain to each other and to anyone else.
(1 Chronicles 4:10)

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20)

Lord, you have said that you have deposited into us the seeds of the highest potential. We will water these seeds daily, Father, with the living water that flows like a river gushing from your heart.

Father, thank you, thank you, thank you. Father, we will daily enter your courts with thanksgiving and with praise. We will open our mouths and we will praise you and we will lift up your name.

Jesus, Lord Jesus Christ, you are amazing beyond words. You are everything we need, You are the answer for our lives.

Father, you are Jehovah Jaira, God the Provider. From your hand, you provide us with everything that we need. Father, I pray that you will open up the heavens and pour our a blessing so great that we will not have room enough to contain it.

Father, you have said in Jeremiah 29:11 that “I know the plans I have for you, plans not to harm you but to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jesus, we will get into your slipstream, Lord, and you will suck us into our destiny, your plan for our lives. Lord Jesus Christ, you can see where we cannot. You can lead us where no human eye can see. You can lead us from strength to strength. The Bible says that the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. Trust the Lord with all our hearts, do not lean on our understanding.
In all our ways, acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight.

Lord Jesus Christ, Father, as we speak your Word over our lives, we know that the Word of God is the higher truth. The Word of God overrides our natural circumstances, whatever they may be.
As we continue to proclaim and stand on your Word, Lord Jesus Christ, your Word will come to pass, just as you promised in the Bible.

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the cross. Thank you, Lord, for your blood on the cross; it has never failed. Thank you, Lord, for abundant life. Thank you, Lord, for a clean and pure heart. Thank you, Lord, for clean hands. I will walk upright before you, Lord, all the days of my life. Thank you, Lord, for godly wisdom. Thank you, Lord, for a clear, unhindered and straight line of sight. Thank you, Lord, for the eye of faith. Lord, you are the Author and Finisher of our faith. You have started a good work within us, and you will surely complete it. Thank you, Lord, for a prosperous soul. Thank
you, Lord, for a renewed spirit. Thank you, Lord, for a renewed mind. Thank you, Lord, for the mind of Christ. Thank you, Lord, for dreams, visions and direction. Thank you, Lord, for your perfect love, Thank you, Lord, for your transforming love. Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing love. According to your love, remember me.

Thank you, Lord, for hope. Thank you, Lord, for faith. Thank you, Lord, for your grace and mercy.
Thank you, Lord, for your goodness, Thank you, Lord, for your forgiveness. Thank you, Lord, for your guiding hand. Thank you, Lord, for creating me just as I am, so wonderfully complex. Thank you, Lord, for your peace. Lord, I love you forever.

Lord Jesus Christ, you are Mighty God, Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of
Peace and Everlasting Father.
Father, you are Creator of the Universe, Creator of Heaven and earth.
Lord, you are the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Lord, you are living water and daily bread.
Lord, you are my Lord and Saviour.
Lord, you are the Word of God.

Father, I pray for the rivers of living water gushing from your heart through our hearts that will light a pure flame in our hearts and holy fire in our soul that will burn forever. Father, I pray that you will
pour out the oil of joy and the oil of gladness that will flow into us and over us. Father, I pray that you will open up the windows of heaven and pour out a great blessing; so much that we will not have the room enough to contain it. Let it rain, Lord, rain down a flood of blessing, a mighty wash of living water running through this nation and through all the nations. We speak your blessings, Lord, and your favour, and your kiss of heaven over us. At the correct ime, you said, everything
will be brought under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that time is now.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the King of Kings and you are the Lord of Lords. The governments of the world will rest on your shoulders. Lord, you are the Prince of Peace. Lord, you are the Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Come, Lord Jesus Christ! Come!

We thank you, Father, for all you have done and all you are going to do.
We thank you, Jesus, for all you have done and all you are going to do.
We thank you, Holy Spirit, for all you have done and all you are going to do.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Love, hugs and kisses,
Pauline
1st November, 2004