Good day dear friends.
As we continue to pray for those who were affected by Hurricane Katrina, we add to our prayers those who are in the path of Hurricane Rita. Our son-in-law who works for Galveston Police Department says a voluntary evacuation of the island begins today with forced evacuation coming perhaps a day or so later. Please be in prayer for all who might suffer this new storm. Pray that families not be separated, nor lives lost.
We continue our study of stewardship as found in a "Skittles-Friendly Environment."
Here is our study guide for today:
Tuesday: Read Matthew 22:15-22. Here we find yet another of the traps set for our Lord by the Pharisees. Being nationalists to Israel but under Roman domination, they wanted to find out where Jesus stood politically thus the trap: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Read Jesus’ answer, but note carefully His reference to God. The negative views we might have towards paying our taxes should have no bearing on sharing with God what is His.
Here is that text:
Matthew 22: 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" 21 They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." 22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
It may have been approaching the Roman equivalent of our April 15th, the day we are supposed to "render unto Caesar." The trap seems like a good way to find out all about Jesus. In asking the question the Pharisees believed they could find out who he was in relation to their occupied political state; "Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" A true Zionist, one who believed in the independence of Israel even under the rule of Romans would have said no, the only law is the law of God and all should be done to restore that law. A Herodian might have answered yes, for we are subjects of the emperor and all the benefits we have come from our funding the Pax Romana. Jesus asks them for a coin, specifically one used to pay the tax which was a denarius. He then asks them, "Whose head is on this coin, and what is his title again?" The denarius, of course, bore the likeness of Caesar and so there was only one way the Pharisees could answer and so they said, "The emperor's." Jesus then replies to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."
With that simple answer Jesus addressed giving. To remain a free subject of Rome, whether you were a Roman citizen or not, if you lived within the boundaries of Roman rule, you had to pay the tax. We know from Jesus' parables and from the presence of Matthew in their midst that the Roman government had set up an effective method of collecting taxes and while it may have given rise to corruption, the tax was still paid. What Jesus may have known is that reluctance to pay the pay may have also reflected a more serious reluctance in giving to God what was God's. Yes, we can argue Jesus was not only talking about money, but He still mentioned giving to God.
What is your attitude towards giving? I believe most of us are born with a self-preservation mode, that of securing for ourselves what we need. As we grow and mature we are (or should be) taught to share and to give. I heard from one of the youth that after church one of the youths had her unopened bag of Skittles and her father, who had already consumed his, wanted some of hers. She responded, and you get the feeling she might not have heard or understood the message, "No, these are mine. Get your own!" Thankfully, she was in youth group later that day and this topic came up again. Are we still living out of relationship with God that tells God, "No, this money is mine. Get your own!"? I pray not. You're missing out on so much!
PRAYER: Come, gracious Giver of all good things and share with me that good relationship that can be mine if I walk and trust You. Let me see that I should be all about giving, so that blessings to Your kingdom would be my blessings as well. I pray in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
