Taxes

The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.
Luke 20:19–26
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Taxes
No one enjoys paying taxes. If there is a deduction we will take it. But most of us still begrudgingly pay them because some of the money is used for the betterment of society. But even if all our tax dollars were wasted we would still be responsible for paying them. We are to obey the earthly authorities that God has placed over us. The only exception is if they command us to sin. But the reality of it is, we don’t need the government to tell us to sin, we do that perfectly well on our own. And in doing so we use ever manner of excuse as to why we sin, ultimately, trying to dupe God into ignoring what we have done. And though we may convince ourselves and others, God is never fooled. Just as the scribes and chief priests sought to dup Jesus, yet He still outwits His opponents and teaches the proper relationship between earthly authority and God. Not even the legitimate claims of government usurp our loyalty to God. Jesus’ perfect allegiance to His Father brought the state’s verdict of death, that He might forgive our divided allegiance.  May our Lord grant that we serve Him faithfully as citizens in this world, and by His grace and mercy live forever with Him in the next.