Render to Caesar

It’s that time of year when property taxes are due and I’ve heard many people voice their opinions and complaints at the increase in taxes and their frustration at the timing with the holidays just around the corner. I believe that Mary and Joseph could relate. They were required to travel to their home town of Bethlehem to register and be taxed. Mary was full term in her pregnancy and that only added to the stress and discomfort.

We might see this as civil obedience to the governing power, but in truth it was a divine intervention. Rome felt that they were the rulers of the civilized world, but God controls the entire world. In all times and places, He works out His will and as a result of the decree, Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for His birth, even though His parents did not live there. Therefore, Rome made this decree just as God intended.

Years later Jesus taught His disciples to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. The bible tells us that we are made in the image of God and as believers, we are His. So by saying we should “give to God what is God’s,” Jesus said to give your whole self to God.

Do you feel the same way about paying taxes as you do about giving yourself to God? Resistant or halfheartedly? Do you give yourself to God and His purposes only when the seasonally expectation is present?

This world will have many “Caesars” that will demand material things from us, but as believers we are citizens of Heaven and have the privilege to give all we have, our whole self, to God. Rendering to Caesar will be temporary. Rendering to God will be eternal.

Be Intentional about giving your whole self to God.

Praises & Prayers

Father, thank you for the reminder that although there are governing forces in this world, You are God over all. Help me to obey as You have commanded me to do and to willingly and joyfully give myself completely to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Messages from His Word

Mark 12:17

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.