Moment of Meditation: Render unto Caesar (Matthew 22:21)

Original Broadcast: April 2010

Monthly Theme: Fourth Commandment

[Jesus said:] "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's,
and to God the things that are God's"
(Matthew 22:21)

"Render Unto Caesar"

Jesus was asked what was supposed to be an impossible question: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" (v17) If He says, "Yes," the Pharisees and the Herodians would decry Him as an enemy of Israel and have Him put to death. If He says, "No," they would turn Him over to Pilate to have Him executed as an enemy of the state.

No-win scenario? Not with Jesus. Jesus answers the question the only way it should be answered. Taking a denarius, He asked, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They are forced to answer, "Caesar's." If you use Caesar's money, you must pay the taxes he determines. That's being a good citizen and steward of the government that God has given you.

We must always remember that everything we have truly comes from God. The government is one of the many agencies he uses to provide these blessings. Is it lawful for the government to impose some sort of repayment for this service? Absolutely. God set that apart a long time ago with the sacrifices. The priests provided for their families through what God had given to them through the sacrifices. Taxes are inevitable. But we should look at them as a way we can praise God for the gift of the government He has given to us. Amen.