Render unto Caesar

Render unto Caesar
Should we pay our taxes? What if we disagree with the governing authority? Sounds like good fodder for a Starbucks conversation. But Jesus and His contemporaries had the same dilemma. The Jews were split on whether to go along with the occupying Romans or to resist them. And this Caesar character had the nerve to spoil the pot further by putting his likeness on the coins, transgressing the Jewish command not to make an image.

Jesus was brought into the controversy when He was posed a question in an effort to trap Him. His solution? "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's." The term render literally means "give back" - implying it is being returned to it's true owner.

But Jesus didn't stop there..."and to God what is God's."

There was likely a statement on the coin attributing deity or worship to the emperor. Caesar is being given something that is not rightfully his.

Are we giving due credit to God? For everything that is rightfully His? He is creator and giver of life and of all good things. The only one that deserves our honor, glory and praise. Or do we sometimes take credit that doesn't belong to us - or give it to something that we idolize?

Maybe if I am obedient to give God everything that is His, the rest will take care of itself.

Jewish History/Culture
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  1. Elaine
    Rendering to God my time and energy is often hard......
    Reply
    April 17, 2013
    • Jen
      For me, even just the discipline to remember to give credit is a work in progress
      Reply
      April 17, 2013
  2. lorraineokeefe
    Such a great reminder on the day, that as a business owner, I always seem to be writing big checks. It all belongs to Him, though. Grateful for his provision.
    Reply
    April 20, 2013
  3. Render unto God - What Then Why Now
    […] years ago at tax time I posted a blog entitled Render unto Caesar. A friend that works in the tax industry commented that it might be fun to come up with a God 1040 […]
    Reply
    March 12, 2017

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