Give to Caesar and Give to God
Deuteronomy 34:9, "Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses."
"Wisdom is the art of being successful, of forming the correct plan to gain the desired results. Its seat is the heart, the centre of moral and intellectual decision (cf. 1 Ki. 3:9, 12)." [1]
Avoid Picking Sides
In Jesus' day, taxes were an explosive issue. When he was a boy, there was a violent revolt over taxes. People picked sides. Are you for Rome or against Rome? Religious leaders tried to trap Jesus by getting him to commit to a side. They asked Jesus, "Tell us then, 'what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?' But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, 'You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.' They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, 'Whose image is this? And whose inscription?' 'Caesar's,' they replied. Then he said to them, 'So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.' When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away." (Matthew 22:17–22).
If Jesus says yes, pay taxes, then he sides with the Romans and makes the Jewish people mad. If Jesus says no, don't pay taxes, he makes the Romans mad and could even be arrested for rebellion.
Jesus skillfully avoids the horns of the dilemma and elevates the conversation to a deeper level. The coin itself was controversial because it bore a profile of Caesar's head with the inscription, 'Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus.' This inscription, claiming Caesar's divinity, is a form of false religion. But the primary issue was not the coin, but the allegiance to Caesar that the tax represented.
Jesus' response is not just a clever evasion, but a stroke of brilliance. He rises above the either/or dilemma and offers a both/and solution that dismantles the false assumption inherent in the question. He shows that loyalty to an earthly government and allegiance to God are not inherently contradictory. In fact, true allegiance to God can include paying taxes to the government.
In this passage from Matthew 22:17–22, we see Jesus' wisdom in addressing political traps and controversial issues. His teaching on paying taxes highlights a crucial aspect of balancing faith and civic duties. This biblical insight is essential for Christians navigating the complexities of their relationship with government and religious obligations.
By giving to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's, Jesus provides a framework for understanding how our allegiance to God can coexist with our responsibilities to earthly authorities. This perspective is invaluable for Christians seeking to honor God in all aspects of life, including their civic duties.
As we reflect on Jesus' teaching, we recognize the importance of wisdom in decision-making. Just as Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom in Deuteronomy 34:9, we too can seek God's guidance in navigating our roles as both citizens and believers. Balancing our faith and government responsibilities requires discernment and a deep understanding of our allegiance to God and the government.
In summary, Jesus' teaching on giving to Caesar and giving to God offers profound wisdom for Christians today. It reminds us that our faith is not isolated from our civic duties, but rather, it informs and enriches them. By embracing this balanced perspective, we can navigate the complexities of faith and government with grace and integrity.
[1] Hubbard, D. A. "Wisdom." Ed. D. R. W. Wood et al. New Bible dictionary 1996: 1244. Print.
