“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s: and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matt 22:21).
The Jews hated paying taxes to Rome (who loves paying taxes?) and asked Jesus if it was lawful according to their religion to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus asked for a coin. He then asked the crowd whose image was on the coin. They all said Caesar’s image. So then Jesus tells everyone to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.
Caesar’s image on the coin meant Caesar owned the coin. The Jews didn’t want their
–George Sheffield
taxes to finance what they considered idolatry or other sinful things.
But Jesus said to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.
Government is by God’s design, even though man may corrupt that design.
Folks we are to pay our taxes--period. By all means use every legal deduction available to reduce those taxes, but we are to render the things that are Caesar’s. How Caesar spends our taxes is on him. God will hold the government accountable, and in America we can voice our displeasure using our votes. As Peter tells us Fear God. Honor the king. (I Pet 2:17).
