What Belongs To Caesar

What Belongs to Caesar

[Jesus said,] “Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

Matthew 22:19-21

Tulips open their blooms in the April air, and the world around us bursts with new life. But for those of us in the United States, the arrival of April also brings feelings of dread . . . Tax Day.

Many people think the Amish don’t pay taxes, but they pay taxes like anyone else. Because they do not use computers, they do taxes the old-fashioned way, with paper and pencil. My friend Moriah, who lives near an Amish community, does taxes for many Amish families. They always check her work, and sometimes they even find mistakes!

Since all of us have to pay taxes, the question isn’t if we pay but how we pay them. What kind of heart attitude do we have? Do we trust that God is in charge of everything, including our taxes, and that He will provide?

Romans 13:1 reads, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” Do we trust these words? Can we be thankful for those in authority over us? Can we accept what we have to give up in the same way we receive the gifts given to us—gifts like sunshine and rain, the tulips and new grass, the joy of family and friends, and our incomes?

There are many things in life that we can’t change, but we can change our attitudes. We can rejoice that God has everything under control and that no matter what, we can always rejoice in Him!

Dear heavenly Father, I’m thankful that all authority is under Your control. Help me to hold loosely the things on this earth and to turn my attention to what can never be taken away from me, here or in heaven.