Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?”
Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
“Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
His reply completely amazed them.
I ple
dge allegianceThe pledge to the flag begins with the words describing the action we take when stand, place our hand on our chest and recite those familiar words. For some, these words describe the highest form of dedication an individual can make. Like wedding vows, this sacred pledge is never to be broken.
I applaud people who serve in politics and the military and thank them for their service to us. I have a brother who is currently serving in the military and I believe his choice is a worthy career of honorable service. When Jesus says to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s I think he opens the door to political service, military service and yes, paying taxes.
We have an obligation to support the systems that provide for the poor, ensure our safety and educate our children. Our involvement actually should be more than just paying taxes; we should extend into the processes where possible.
At the same time, I am alarmed at the progressive intertwining of religion and politics. Evangelicals are continually marrying conservative politics with Christianity. It has become God and Country rather than God alone. We are so closely tied with conservatism we have forgotten Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to liberate the captive and set those in bondage free. As conservatives we reject high taxes but we do not pick up the bill to care for the poor. We do not like big government, but we reject giving our time to tutor failing children, educate the unemployed and rehabilitate the convict.
The reason for our involvement in government should not be our faith in government, but our desire to serve God through serving others. Investment in other people must be due to our belief God loves them and has good things for them. Investment in other countries through military service should spring out of a belief God loves them and cares for them and we should too. Our giving to Caesar must always be predicated on our giving to God. God must come first, in our allegiance and in our giving.
Jesus you are Lord and King. I desire you to be the first cause of every action in my life. I pledge my allegiance first to you above all else. I want you to reign supreme in my life. - Dan Jones
Give to who!?
So what belongs to the government? What should I give to a government under whose authority I live, even a pagan and unjust one like the Roman Empire?
I believe Jesus' pithy reply to an insincere question offers two basic truths.
First, every government has a claim on us. Jesus dutifully paid his taxes, even if he did “cheat” at least once. (Remember the time he sent Peter to retrieve the tax payment from a fish's mouth? Wish I could do that!) My individualism recoils at the notion that the group, even one as large as a nation, has a right to make claims on my life that I may not like or approve.
Second, even evil and unjust governments have a right to make certain claims on us. The Roman government was corrupt, pagan, and cruel. Still, Jesus submitted to its authority, even when his tax money went to support that regime.
I especially cringe at the thought of submitting to unjust rule. My sense of justice wants to rise up and fight for the right. Jesus’ broader teaching about pursuing justice for the oppressed surely allows for this. However, in this conversation, he insists that there is a time and place to submit even to evil governments!
The occupying Roman force had the right, by law, to conscript ordinary people, at any time, for the purpose of carrying armor for up to a mile. Even important family or religious obligations could be interrupted by this demand. The Jews bristled under such a law. Then came Jesus. He taught, after you’ve finished your mile, volunteer to go a second.
Give to Caesar what he demanded, and even more!
This truth is especially critical for those of us in a democracy, and in an election year. We sometimes get the notion that we should only support rulers we believe will lead our country in the right direction. When people we believe to be bad for the country get elected, we don’t want to cooperate or work together. Bitter partisanship results.
Jesus, if you could submit to Rome, as an American, I can submit to Washington, even when I think it’s going in the wrong direction. Help me not to give my government anything that belongs only to you. But remind me of what I owe to whoever gets elected this fall. - Mike Leamon
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