13 Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. 14 They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we pay or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at.” 16 They brought one. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” 17 And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him. ~ Mark 12:13-17 (NASB)
How I grumble about paying taxes, always trying to give the least to the government and keep the most for myself. But God’s Word, Jesus Himself, tells us to pay the government what is due in taxes. Although I often disagree with what the government does with the money it collects from its citizens, that’s a different issue. I can exercise my constitutional rights to try to convince legislators to vote or against certain measures, and I can vote or against candidates who support the issues I do or not. However, I am always obligated to pay my taxes.
Father God, help me to pay taxes—to render to Casesar the things that are Caesar’s—with a cheerful spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
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