Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. (Matthew 22:15; Mark 12:13) So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor. (Luke 20:20)
Well, the Pharisees and scribes and other religious leaders weren't brave enough to ...lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet. (Matthew 21:46) Jesus had just completed speaking three parables that convicted them of their sins, but had not convinced them to change. Since they aren't brave enough to take Him themselves, they decide to try and trick Him, so that He would get in trouble with the occupying government. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. (Matthew 22:16; Mark 12:14; Luke 20:21)
Well, they sure are "laying it on thick", as the old saying goes! They go from calling Jesus "...Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons” (Matthew 12:24); now they're calling Him “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth." Jesus describes these religious leaders perfectly, Hypocrites! Many people, maybe even many of us, attempt to appear so genuine and sincere before others, but in reality we have an ulterior motive behind our words and actions. Just like Jesus could see through these hypocrites, He can see through us also. We should be as the Apostle Paul described, ...not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. (II Corinthians 2:17)
Anyway, the Pharisees had set up the scene for their trick, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” [*Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”] But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:17-21; *Mark 12:14-17; Luke 20:22-25)
In other words, My child, fear the Lord and the king. Don’t associate with rebels, for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from the Lord and the king? (Proverbs 24:21-22 NLT) Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (I Peter 2:13-17)
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1-7)
We are to pay taxes! And whether the government does what's right or wrong, we are to obey the law, as we continue to put our hope, trust and faith in God; For the Lord is our Judge, The Lord is our Lawgiver, The Lord is our King; He will save us. (Isaiah 33:22) Just as the Apostle Peter and other apostles said when they were on trial for teaching about Christ Jesus, ...and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29); we also must have that same mindset. “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Just make sure we are rendering to God the things that are God’s also! “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me,... Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;... (Malachi 3:8-12)
Our civil obligations can not supersede our spiritual obligations. We are to pay taxes to the governing authority; render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs. But we also have to give our tithes and offerings to God; render fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Paying taxes will keep us unafraid of the authority. Giving our tithes and offerings will show that we fear God! When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way. (Matthew 22:22; Mark 12:17) But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent. (Luke 20:26)
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