GIVE CAESAR CAESAR’S, GIVE GOD GOD’S

GIVE CAESAR CAESAR’S, GIVE GOD GOD’S

And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him. —Mark 12:13-18

Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. —Romans 13:5-7

            Taxes… we are in that season again in the U.S. What do we say about taxes? Well, let’s face it. We probably grumble about taxes. But we do live in a nation where we can vote to make a difference, but a large group of people do not vote for one reason or another. Still Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” and “Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due.” We are to pay taxes not only to avoid punishment, but also to have a clear conscience.

            Yes, we are to “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” and we are also to render “to God the things that are God’s.” We have a responsibility toward government and we also have a responsibility toward God.   Jesus does not negate either of those responsibilities. So are you and I being faithful in paying taxes? Are we being faithful in giving to God what is His? May this be so!

Dear Father please help me to faithful in both responsibilities— to pay the taxes that I owe and also to give to You what is Yours. Truly, I understand that it is all Yours. May I be a faithful steward in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.