Tax Day

“Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 
But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, 
“Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 
They said, “Caesar's.” 
Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.”
- Matthew 22:15-22 ESV

April 17th ~ Tax Day (this year anyway) ~ One of the most despised days in American culture. Unless, of course, you are getting a refund... But it’s Tax Day, nonetheless, a reminder of all that we have paid to the government over the previous year.

I like what Jesus says about paying taxes. After the Pharisees try once again to trap Him with His words. Jesus, in His wisdom, asks, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”

When they said, “Caesar’s.” Jesus then said, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 

Then the Pharisees marveled at His words and left Him and went away.

“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s...” but we often forget the second part of His response.

“... and to God the things that are God’s.”

Wow... that means everything. Because it’s all God’s. God created it. God gave it to us. And Jesus reminds us and the Pharisees to give God everything that is His. 

That means everything. 
Not just our money, but our possessions. 
But not just our possession but our lives and our livelihoods. 
We are to give Him everything. 
All that we are. 
All that we do. 
All that we have given back to God for Him and His glory. 
For Him and His work. 
For Him to do with as He pleases.

His Kingdom Come... His will be done.

But it’s not just the material things. 
It’s also our families. 
Our spouse
Our children
Our jobs
Our hobbies
Our talents
Our goals
Our dreams
Our aspirations
Those are God given and Jesus reminds us to give God what is God’s.

He wants us to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength... in other words... to love the Lord with all that we are. Which includes our gifts, talents, possessions, money.

Though it’s Tax Day, let it be a reminder of all that we have been blessed with... and all that we are to give back to God for Him to use for His glory.

Let it be a reminder that everything is His. He just lets us use it for awhile.

Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem