A few weeks ago, I asked those who read this blog to pray that I would find additional employment so that I can make ends meet. Since then, I've had a couple of interviews, but I still haven't had any offers yet. So, please keep praying. Thank you.
Last week, I talked about crowns and rewards. We saw that those who faithfully follow the Lord Jesus while on earth will be rewarded in Heaven. Let me state unequivocally, lest there be any confusion, doing good works cannot bring anyone to salvation. Salvation is by grace alone apart from works. We are saved unto good works that our lives might bring forth good fruit and bring glory to God.
Today, I'd like to focus on an encounter Jesus had with the Pharisees and other religious leaders over the matter of paying taxes. Sometimes, I think that this passage of Scripture is greatly misinterpreted.
As usual, the Pharisees were once again trying to trap Jesus in order to discredit Him in the eyes of the people. They were always looking for some way to get Jesus in trouble with the civil authorities in order to silence Him.
On this particular occasion, they asked Jesus a question about paying taxes. As Matthew 22:17 states the Pharisees asked, "What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar or not?"
The Pharisees really thought they'd trapped Jesus this time. They figured that no matter which way Jesus answered the question, He would be in trouble.
If Jesus said that the people should pay their taxes, the people would become angry because the people hated Romans and the onerous taxes that the Romans placed upon them.
On the other hand, if Jesus said that the people should not pay their taxes, the Roman authorities would view Jesus as a rebel, and they would put Him to death.
Things didn't work out the way the Pharisees expected. Jesus said, "Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites." Then Jesus said in verse 20, "Whose is this image and superscription?" They told Jesus that it was the image of Caesar. Jesus responded by saying, "Render therefore into Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."
After the Pharisees heard the words of Jesus, they were amazed and left Jesus alone.
So, what does Jesus statement mean? First of all, I believe that Jesus statement means that believers should pay their taxes.
One major interpretation of this passage I strongly disagree with is that Jesus is claiming that there is a worldly sphere to which we owe allegiance and a Godly sphere to which we owe allegiance. In other words, there is a duty we owe to government and a duty we owe to the Lord.
I do not believe that is what Jesus is stating here. The Roman coin had the image of Caesar on it. Caesar was claiming his ownership over the money, so to speak. What Jesus is saying is that if Caesar is claiming this money give it back to him. It is of little importance as far as eternal values are concerned.
Then Jesus says to give to God what belong to God. Everything in creation is marked with the imprint of the hand of God. He is the creator and sustainer of all things. Human beings are created in the image of God. What Jesus is teaching is that everything that exists belongs to God. We belong to God.
It is our obligation as followers of Christ to give everything we have to the honor and glory of the Lord. The Apostle Paul makes this clear when he states in Romans 12:1-2, " I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is you spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
The obligation of the Christian is to serve God not a nation. Jesus is Lord of all. Nothing in our lives should be placed above our duty to Jesus.
The Pharisees were worried about the unimportant things like taxes and the accumulation of wealth and political power. In view of eternity, these things have very little meaning. Governments will rise and fall. Fortunes are gained and lost.
The only thing that will remain forever is what is done to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ.
Our duty as Christians is to give our all in service of our true and eternal king who has called us to be His ambassadors in a fallen world. This mission should be our chief concern in this life.
So many people are worried over so many things that in reality don't matter in the long run. Many of the decisions we fret and are anxious over don't really matter much with eternity in view.
I encourage you as I encourage myself to make the service of Christ the goal of life. Work to spread the Gospel and see souls brought into Christ's Kingdom. Strive to make this world a better place in imitation of the works of Jesus.
Whatever we do, let's do it all for the glory of the only one who is worthy of glory, adoration and worship. Amen.
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