Sermon, October 18, 2020

give as is due

Matthew 22: 15-22

It is general knowledge that having to pay taxes has been and will continue to be a controversial issue for many.  There are objections and questions of a vexing nature because the truth is very few, if any really like  to have to part with hard earned money.  That is why persons would do what they can to either evade or avoid taxes when possible.

But we know that taxes are necessary to facilitate the proper running of the affairs of any country.  Those in authority are expected to provide goods and services to the citizenry; roads, water, housing in some cases, and all of the other things we sometimes take for granted.  The same is true for most if not all organizations.  They have the same need for financial support to conduct their affairs, and the church being no exception.

The pharisees were aware of the importance of paying taxes.  They were also aware of the sentiments and reluctance of the some people concerning making such payments, especially to Caesar who was an unpopular ruler.

With that awareness, they set about laying plans to trap Jesus as they hoped that his own words could be used against him.  

So, according to Matthew 22:16,  they sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by others because you pay no attention to who they are. 17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?

In their attempt to trap Jesus, they prefaced the question with the word, ‘Teacher’ which was meant to flatter Jesus,  or as we would say, they tried to soften him up, to make him feel good and important about himself; but Jesus had no need for flattery because he knew who he was.  He was affirmed by God as the Beloved Son.

Having addressed him as ‘teacher’, (which was an honorable title),  they went on to refer to him as a man of integrity, a man who is guided by truth of God, a man not easily led off track.  It is the same approach used when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.  ‘If you are the son of God.  you have power to turn stone to bread; angels will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ But all these titles did not move Jesus to give an opinion as they hoped he would.

Their question was not whether they should pay taxes at all, but whether it was right to pay to Caesar.  It was an attempt to get Jesus to make a pronouncement on the question of loyalty to the emperor.   A question had political implications.

If Jesus had said that it was lawful, it would put him at odds with the pharisees and others who saw the emperor as treating them unjustly and taxing them unfairly.

If on the other hand, he had said it was not legal, it was likely the would be arrested and charged for speaking against the authority.  Instead of giving his opinion he asked for a coin and asked whose image and inscription was shown on it.  Of course, the answer was  that it was that of Caesars.  

The inscription on one side of the coin signified that the emperor was the son of the deified Augustus, and on the other side it declared Tiberius to be High Priest.  Having heard from their own mouths that it was Caesar’s image on the coin, Jesus said to them: “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” The sad thing is that while questions are being asked and opinions are being sought, little changes.

In this case, Jesus turned that tables on them and got them to answer the question themselves.   

There are times when, we find ourselves when others may seek our opinion as people of faith, especially concerning what the church has to say about burning and controversial issues which affect persons ways of living and their state of mind.  Sometimes questions are asked, not necessarily to get truth, but provide an opportunity to justify a position or action or to be critical of a given opinion.  Even to apply actions against the one giving the opinion.

As in the gospel, there are questions about being taxed of overtaxed and whether  the burden is fair or not.  Questions about social justice and racial equality, questions about the value or purpose of protests, questions about who knew what and when, concerning how the present pandemic and how it has been affecting the lives of the people and we can go on with the many questions sometimes asked to ensnare the people of God

The point is that In moments like these our commitment to truth is put to the test.  Today I suggest that as Christians our responsibility is to be true to who we are and above all to be true to God.  Truth may not always accepted by those who may have their own motives, but, it was Jesus who said as recorded in Matthew 10 verse 16  “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”  That ought to be instructive for us.

He went on to say in verse 17: ‘But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues’.

Beware of men because they are not always genuine in the questions they ask.  Sometimes there is an ulterior motive.

So to use the expressions of the Pharisees (although they being sarcastic), we have to stand and speak as persons of integrity, we have to be able to teach the ways of God according to the truth and not be influenced by what others think, how others may criticize or even condemn, and not be influenced by their standing in society.  We have a responsibility to uphold and live in accordance with, the laws and authorities that are just, fair and that promote in the interest of good for all people, but at the same time recognizing that there is more to life;  it is our responsibility to stand firmly by our faith in God.

That is what Jesus point to when he said: So, give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." 

Whatever legal and lawful obligations you have to human authority, fulfill them, but remember you also have an obligation to give to God what is His.

What is that? 

The Caesars of this world receive by levying taxes on citizens.  God gives to us and embraces us with his unconditional love.  

Remember, Caesar’s image was stamped on the coin, but we know that God stamped his image on every human beings when he said as recorded in the creation story : “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness” (Genesis 1:26).

This not a physical image or one imprinted on some material but the image is imprinted in our very beings.  So, when Jesus says give to God what is God’s he is saying we belong to God and therefore we should give our all to him even as Paul writes in his letter to the church at Rome 12: 1 ‘Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

As recipients of this gracious love of God we give our all to him - our time our talents our energies and in the service of our fellow human beings.  We give to God through the work and witness of the church.  We give to God as we reach out in love to those who need and will need warmth and shelter especially as the winter season draws near.  We give to God in whatever we do to make life even that little bit better for other.  We give to God in caring for his creation, the world and all that is in it.  Psalm24:1 reminds us that The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

That is what we ought to be doing when we worship God, it is what Jesus asks when he "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind.  

So, beyond all that we may say and do ” We must never forget to render unto God the things that are God’s.”

AMEN.