14 Apr, 2008
Would Jesus pay taxes?
TAXES ARE DUE TOMORROW!
photo courtesy images.google.com
Mark 12:13-17 (NLT)
Paying Taxes to Caesar
13 Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 14 “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? 15 Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?”
Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said,
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
17
His reply completely amazed them.
What does Jesus teach us about paying taxes in today's God's Story scripture?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain:
12:17 Jesus avoided the trick question by showing that believers have dual citizenship (1 Peter 2:17). Our citizenship in the nation requires that we pay money for the services and benefits that we receive. Our citizenship in the kingdom of Heaven requires that we pledge to God our primary obedience and commitment. As God's followers, we have legitimate obligations to both God and the government. But it is important to keep our priorities straight. When the two authorities conflict, our duty to God always must come before our duty to the government. The coin bearing the emperor's image should be given to the emperor; our lives, bearing God's image, belong to God. Are you giving to God what is rightfully His?
Though most of you young readers don't have to pay much if any taxes, the instructions from Jesus are clear. Whether it's the act of giving money to the government or simply having the attitude of being a Godly citizen, we must pay up!
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our story?
- Pay your taxes and maybe you can enjoy your refund!
- Ask God to give you an attitude of appreciation toward our government for the benefits of freedom we enjoy. Ask God to intervene in our government to show our leaders the need to change policies that are immoral and ungodly such as abortion...ask God to show you how to find the best way to voice His Truth and if needed to give you the courage to obey Him rather than our earthly government.
- Read more on this subject in Romans 13:1-7.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
When the issue of taxes comes up in conversation today and tomorrow, be ready to talk about what you learned about Jesus and taxes in studying God's Story.
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [13]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
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- December 2007 [19]
- November 2007 [16]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
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- June 2007 [10]
- May 2007 [12]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [11]
- June 2006 [3]
