It is easy to gripe and complain about paying taxes, but as Christians, we must hear what Jesus is saying.
In today's Scripture reading, Jesus was telling those listening to render to Caesar the things that were Caesars, meaning that the people were to pay taxes to the Roman government, which was the political authority at that time.
If you read the scriptures carefully, you will see that the emphasis is not about Jesus putting His approval on paying taxes, rather, the emphasis is on the coin.
When Jesus took the denarius (the coin), after inspecting it, He said...
"Whose image is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. (Mark 12:15)
Caesar minted coins that had his image stamped on them and expected some of them back. Jesus was simply making a distinction between two kingdoms. Caesar at the time held the power of the kingdom of the world but God held (and still holds) the Kingdom to come.
Christians today are part of both kingdoms (while still on earth). Therefore, if our Government demands money, we must obey. At the same time, whatever God demands, we must also obey.
Give to Caesar (IRS) his part and give God His. Anything less is cheating God because it ALL belongs to Him anyway.
BLESSINGS. Laurie
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE READING: Numbers 7:48-8:4, Mark 12:1-27, Psalm 50:1-15
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