Scripture

“Well then,” Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what belongs to God.”

Observation
Some Pharisees and supporters of Herod try to trap Jesus. They pile on the flattery before springing the trap. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?” they ask.

If Jesus says “Yes”, then he will lose support from amongst the people. If he says “No”, then they can have him arrested.

Jesus asks for a Roman coin. He asks the people whose image is on it. They reply “Caesar,” and so Jesus tells them to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God, what belongs to God.

Application

Most people hate paying tax. It was even worse back in Jesus’ day, when the taxes were going to an occupying power that treated the people of Israel as scum.

If we are to prosper in finances or in business, we are to give to the government the right amount of money that we owe them in taxes. This does not mean we have to be generous to the government and give them more than is due. It just means that we have to be open and honest in all of our dealings.

More importantly, we must give to God that which is God’s. Just as a Roman coin carried the image of Caesar, every single person carries the image of God.

We must therefore offer every part of ourselves back to God for him to use as he wishes. We are to be living sacrifices to our heavenly Father.

Prayer
Lord, please help me to discern what I should offer back to the government. What areas of my life am I holding back from you? Amen.