Paying Dues

Again, I'm appreciating the bit I was able to understand at church this morning. From Luke 20, important people trying to trap Jesus with trick questions, like "Should we pay our taxes?"

If he says yes, he's in trouble with the Jews. If he says no, he's in trouble with the Roman empire.

"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."

He beats the trap, but his answer deserves pause. A quick read makes it seem like Caesar and God split things 50/50, each with their own fair share. "Some for you, some for me," and everyone goes home happy. But that's not the case at all.

No, not at all. Where you see Caesar's inscription and likeness, give it back to him. Where you see God's inscription and likeness, give it back to him.

If Caesar puts his face on a coin, then give him his coins. He can take all he wants. In the end, they are worthless.

But where do you see God's likeness? Look around you. Mountains and oceans, stars and skies, animals and humans. Color. Sound. Tastes. Smells. Order and Goodness and Truth and Beauty. From the infinite grandeur of the whirling planets down to the infinitesimal inner workings of the tiniest cell. Where you see God, give it back to him.

Give him all the praise and glory and honor he is due.

Give Caesar his silly coins. And then give God everything, everything, everything else. All of it.

And an answer like that, for people who have a hard time paying our measly taxes let alone giving ourselves as living sacrifices to our Creator, throws our trivial self-centered questions out the window and leaves us marveling in silence.

From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.