Monday Thought -- January 28, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words.  They came to him and said, ‘Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity.  You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.  Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?  Should we pay or shouldn’t we?’  But Jesus knew their hypocrisy.  ‘Why are you trying to trap me?’ he asked.  ‘Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.’  They brought the coin, and he asked them, ‘Whose portrait is this?  And whose inscription?’  ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.  Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’” (Mark 12:13-17)

What does belong to Caesar?

Honor.  Peter wrote, “Honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:17)

Submission.  Paul wrote, “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities.” (Romans 13:1)

Taxes.  Paul wrote, “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.” (Romans 13:6)

Although we may not like what our government asks of us, unless they ask for something that is dishonoring to God or contradictory to His clear instructions to us, then we are commanded by God to obey them as His servants.  It is not often that there is a contradiction between the commands of the government and the commands of God.

The greater point that Jesus made to the Pharisees and Herodians – and to us – is that we are to be sure that we give to God what belongs to God.

What belongs to God?

Reverence.  Peter wrote, “Fear God.” (1 Peter 2:17)

Obedience.  Peter wrote, “We have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood.” (1 Peter 1:2)

Love.  Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

Worship.  The Hebrew author wrote, “Worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28)

God ahead, give to our government what rightfully belongs to it.  But never give to government what rightfully belongs only to God.  Be sure to give God – and only to God – what belongs to Him.

His, by Grace,

Steve