Render To Caesar What Is His

“Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

Today is a day of reckoning for those living in the United States. We’re either bemoaning the additional tax payments we owe to our state and federal government, or we’re doing a little jig over the refund checks that will soon be coming our way for overpayment. Conversations about how tax funds are spent versus how they should be spent cause heated debates in the media and in our homes and workplaces, reaching a crescendo today before tapering off until the next year’s tax season.

Today reminds me that we are citizens of two kingdoms—our temporary earthly one and Jesus’ eternal one. Jesus recognized that we would be living under imperfect earthly governments and that we would be required to obey laws and pay taxes. Generally speaking, our acquiescence to these earthly requirements does not make us disloyal to his Kingdom.

As I was pondering this duality, the following question came to mind: If our taxes belong to earthly governments, what is it that belongs to God? The answer is in the greatest commandment, found in Luke 10:27. We are called to love God with every ounce of our heart, soul, strength, and mind. It is in these places that God asks to reign, above all earthly authorities. And when we love God like this, our resources (finances included) naturally follow.

The Creator of the known and unknown universe doesn’t need our money; he asks us to entrust him with a portion of our earthly treasure as part of our relationship with him. As we do so through our tithing and generosity in caring for those around us, we find our spiritual, emotional, and physical needs met in ways that are immeasurably greater than whatever we surrendered in offering. This Kingdom generosity creates a cycle in which we hold our earthly treasures loosely, trusting God’s provision and goodness in whatever forms they might take. There is something about seeing God supply what we need just in time that creates humble gratitude like nothing else.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Ask a fellow believer to share a story of when God provided for them spiritually or physically, and share your own story of God’s provision. Spend a few moments in prayer together, thanking God for supplying your needs.