Good Morning Friends,
“‘'Teacher,’ the Pharisees and Herodians said,
‘we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in
accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no
attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to
pay taxes 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 portrait is this?
And whose inscription?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. Then he said to them, ‘Give
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 22:16-22)
Giving our highest allegiance to God does not
mean that we ignore whatever responsibilities we have to others. In fact, those
who honor God will be the most responsible spouses, parents, citizens, and
employees, as long as what is asked does not contradict our allegiance to God.
Paul and Peter provided a similar instruction
about how to live our lives. Paul wrote, “Give everyone what you owe him: If
you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect;
if honor, then honor.” (Romans 13:7)
Peter said, “Show proper respect to everyone:
Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:17)
Show respect and honor, and be responsible to
all of the authorities God places in your life, but keep in mind above all,
that God deserves our highest allegiance and nothing and no one should be
allowed to interfere with that. “Seek first His kingdom.” (Matthew 6:33)
His, by Grace, Steve
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