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Luke 20:18-26 - Render to those what belongs to them

Luke 20:19-26


[19] The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable (of the wicked tenants) against them, but they feared the people. [20] So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. [21] So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. [22] Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” [23] But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, [24] “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” [25] He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” [26] 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. (ESV)

I think this passage has mostly been used to describe our offerings to God, and our taxes. But what caught me today was a different perspective. Reading v20 again, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governer, I become very self-reflective of how we set ourselves up as that authority. Can God create a rock so big he cannot move? Why does a good God allow evil and suffering? Sometimes, these are real questions that we need to answer. But sometimes, I'm just pretending to be sincere.

Look at how the question is phrased. Teacher, we know... but truly teach the way of God. So now that I'm done buying your favor, how about you give me what I want? Isn't that terribly reminiscent of the way I pray sometimes?

Jesus, however, gives the perfect answer. Say that it is lawful, and he offends the Jews by saying their "lord" is Caesar. Say it's not and he offends the Roman authorities. But his answer is to the point. Give to Caesar what belongs to him - the coin, but give to God what belongs to God. What Caesar commands is merely the value of the coin, but what God commands is so much more. In the grand scheme of God's Plan, what is the tax that Caesar collects?

But that's for us too - give to the world what belongs to the world. As a student I'm obliged to submit my assignments, to prepare for exams. (No taxes yet, yay!) But as a Christian everything I have belongs to Christ. That's my time, my money (yep, double taxes I suppose!), my energy and my emotions. I think this passage really calls me back to writing these - whatever talents I may have, whatever opportunities I have, I need to "render them to God".

Looking back, when I first started writing these, half my reasons were because I hoped that someone might come across these and be encouraged, or learn something about God. Today I learned that this little, insignificant page belongs to God too, and I want to use it so.

 Dear God,

 I pray that you create in me a sincere heart to love and follow you, to ask of you what is in your will. I pray that you help me to surrender to you the things that belong to you, especially my emotions which I tend to guard very closely to myself. Help me use all that you've given me to further your kingdom.

 Let me not see the gifts you've blessed me with as mine to own, but help me to see them as yours entrusted to my care until you return
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