SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 8/18/2023 11:05 AM
My Worship Time Focus:
PT-1 “The Answer and the Aftermath”
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Matthew 22:21b-22
Message of the verses: “Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” And hearing this, they marveled, and leaving Him, they went away.”
We see in verse 21b the answer that Jesus gave to
these Herodians and to put into terms that I think we can understand “it blew
their minds.” The insightfulness of that
statement can often be missed and the reason is because of its simplicity. MacArthur writes “Apodidomi (fender) means to pay or give back, implying a debt. It carries the idea of obligation and
responsibility for something that is not optional. Jesus’ answer to the original question (v.
17) was therefore, “Yes, it is entirely lawful and right to pay the poll-tax to
Caesar, because that tax is Caesar’s, belonging to the things in his domain.’”
I think that this section of Scripture is still very
important for people today as it discusses taxes. With that I want to quote more from MacArthur’s
commentary which speaks about taxes. “Jesus
did not use the word give, as had the disciples of the Pharisees in asking the
question. For them, as for most Jews,
paying any tax to Rome was not considered a legitimate duty and was done only
with the greatest reluctance. Now Jesus declared that the
payment not only was perfectly legal but morally obligatory.
“Jesus here declared the divinely-ordained obligation of
citizens to pay taxes to whatever government is over them. Paying taxes is a legitimate duty of every
person, but is specially binding on believers because they are specially bond
to God’s Word. Jesus made no qualifying
exemptions or exceptions, even under rulers such as the blasphemous pagan,
idolatrous government that in a few days would nail Him to the cross. The government that executed the Son of God
was to be paid taxes by God’s people.
The state has the divine right to assess taxes that are within its
sphere of responsibility, and its citizens have the divine obligation to pay
them.”
With these two paragraphs we can see how John MacArthur
views taxes, that is how he believes that the Lord was telling us to give to
Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s. I just wonder how many of the true Bible
believing churches around our country would be better off if God’s people would
give to God the things that are God’s. I
am talking about tithing here even though tithing is not some kind of rule for
Christians, however if God’s children (the Jewish people) while under the Law
had to pay tithes, how much more are believers who are under grace should give
for the cause of Christ to their churches.
Here is what the apostle Paul wrote, and like Jesus, was living under pagan Rome “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God…Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’s sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Rom. 13:1, 5-7). Now as believers we are not only to respect and submit to such rulers and leaders but we are to also pray for them, and I know living in the USA at this time we have a President who fits under the category of doing things to those who truly serve God, but I suppose that this is a good reason to pray for him. Paul writes the following to his son in the faith, Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 “1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”
Peter
has something similar to say in 1 Peter 2:13-15: “13 Submit
yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as
the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of
evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God
that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
Lord willing we will continue to look at
this subject in our next SD.
8/18/2023 12:09 PM
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