God has granted us many gifts and talents that can bring Him glory if used for Him alone. They serve to refresh and revitalize us both spiritually and emotionally.
Jesus amazed his interrogators when He showed them a coin bearing Caesar’s image and responded by saying: ‘Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God.” Their reaction was truly staggering.
Table of Contents
1. It is a good thing
Jesus responded to His opponents when challenged about paying tributes and temple taxes to both Caesar and God with “give Caesar what belongs to him, and give God what belongs to Him”. While some interpret this phrase to mean pay your taxes, others interpret it to mean everything belongs to God – in this view all humans should see themselves as God-created beings and respect and defend their rights to life and dignity as part of this belief system; additionally psalm 24 reminds us “The earth is the Lord’s and all its resources belong to Him”.
The Bible clearly teaches us that our Lord desires our praise, worship, service and giving. Furthermore, He rewards those who give generously, and it brings Him great pleasure when our gifts arrive without burden or obligation attached to them. Giving should be done from our hearts in response to His kindness rather than become an obligation or burdensome chore.
The Bible also teaches us that God provides each of his children with supernatural talents – areas in which they excel naturally – that should be dedicated to him and used for his glory, like Paul did with singing or writing or teaching. Give generously; expect God’s blessing!
2. It is a good thing to do
God gave each of us supernatural talents with the intention that they be used for His glory. Some may be talented musicians or writers or artists; others have natural skills for teaching or hosting or encouraging others. When those gifts go unused, how should we commit them back to Him for use for His purposes?
Jesus responded in an unexpected manner when confronted by Pharisees and Herodians with this question by saying something similar to, “Give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and unto God what belongs to God”. But his statement was intended to avoid falling into their trap by not directly answering their query.
God owns all, including our lives and finances. As He created everything in this universe and every individual in it, it is right that we give back what is His – such as respecting their dignity and fighting for their right to live. Also giving God first priority means giving financial gifts as part of this sacrifice.
3. It is a good thing to have
Jesus answered the Pharisees and Herodians by providing an intriguingly vague response: Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. Jesus made his answer deliberately enigmatic; his purpose was not meant for interpretation; rather, his point was that what truly mattered more than taxes was seeing God in each individual person, protecting their right to live and upholding life itself – such as when He provided energy through creation for survival (e.g. sun energy for all living organisms – created by Him).
4. It is a good thing to be
Jesus responded to questions about paying taxes to Caesar by saying, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God.” Although the question had intended to trap Him, His response effectively reframed the issue: We are children of God and should seek Him first – including seeing the face of God in every person we meet while respecting their dignity and advocating for their right to life. All power belongs solely with Him!
5. It is a good thing to believe
Belief in God can help to increase generosity. Additionally, placing Him first will ensure greater contentment down the road – something which all must strive to do and can bring lasting happiness to your life.
Jesus deliberately gave a vague response when his opponents presented this question to Him, to avoid falling into their trap of tax-related debates and debates with His opponents about giving. At the same time, He wanted to make his point about giving.
He did this by sharing the tale of a poor widow who gave away all her wealth to the temple treasury. He noted how her donation was more generous than those from wealthy households who contributed large sums; not because she was wealthy but due to her sacrifice.
What we give back to God matters because it shows our affection and sacrifice on His behalf. Belief in this truth should encourage more generous behavior with your time, talents, and treasures.
