What is Caesar’s, what is God’s

What is Caesar’s, what is God’s

Scripture:

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. Matthew 22:15-22

Observation:

All the plans were set in place. The perfect trap question had been set. Deviously, carefully, cunningly, the Pharisees had devised the question that would implicate Jesus whichever way He answered. Was it right to pay the tax to Caesar or not? Say “Yes”, and become unpopular with the Jewish people and even the Zealots who resented the tax imposed on them. Say “No”, and get in trouble with the Roman authorities. It was a Catch-22 situation.

The disciples of the Pharisees were there. The Herodians were also there. With evil intentions they had come, and waited with glee to hear the Lord’s incriminating answer. Knowing their thoughts, Jesus lambasted them “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?” Then he asked them to show him a coin used to pay the tax. Puzzled, they brought him a denarius, and He questioned them back “Whose image is this? Whose inscription?” “Caesar’s”, they answered. And the Lord declared to their amazement “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.”

The mindset of the Jews was that since they had to pay tax to Caesar, they were therefore prevented from paying their tithes and offerings to God. However, the Lord pointed out to them that in accepting and enjoying the benefits of Caesarian rule by staying in that place, symbolized by the usage of the Caesarian coin, they were obliged to pay tax to Caesar. Yet, this was no excuse not to give God one’s own tithes and offerings. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s. This is also consistent with Paul’s teachings later where he advocated that all Christians should subject themselves to the government authorities which are placed by God.

Looking deeper into the meaning of “give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s”, we are reminded that the whole monetary system is in fact controlled by government. The value of each coin can be easily changed by limiting its supply or reproducing it substantially. Part of that monetary system involves the payment of taxes that is a fundamental cog in the provision of a suitable environment for the workings of the economic system. If we are to participate in the economic system and accept the Caesarian coinage, then of course we will have to accept the rules and conditions imposed upon us.

Using the same analogy, just as Caesar is given what bears his image, God must be given what bears His  image. What bears God’s image? Us! All humankind, man and woman, are created in God’s image, and we are meant to be given to God as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to Him. That is our ultimate purpose and calling.

Application:

What is our attitude towards government? We are quick to condemn the leadership for corruption, inefficiency and being biased. We resent the taxes that we pay and loathe the burdens placed upon us. However, looking at the big picture, we must realize that government is necessary and is ordained by God. Without government there is anarchy and an unstable environment where the people will not prosper or find peace.

Secondly, do we give to God what is God’s? This does not only refer to tithes and offerings. It is far more. We ourselves, created in God’s image, belong to God, and only in learning to surrender ourselves to God do we find true meaning and fulfillment in life. It is not an easy path to deny one’s self and submit one’s self to God. It takes a lifetime of learning but we begin to find that the more we give of ourselves, the more we have to give, and the easier it becomes to yield ourselves to Him who made us.

Prayer:

Dear Father, we praise You and thank You, Lord, for the government that You have set in place, that works to bring peace in the land, and seeks to manage the economic environment to bring prosperity to the country and its people. Help us be responsible citizens, Lord, who pay our taxes and respect our country’s laws.

We thank You, Lord, that we are made in Your image and we belong to You. Teach us Lord, to present ourselves as living sacrifices before You, holy and acceptable by the blood of Jesus! May Your name be praised forever, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.