And He (Jesus) said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Luke 20:25
Today: Read Luke 20
To render is to provide or give service to something or someone. In scripture, it means to discharge what is due. It is a wonderful word but not one that we hear often in today’s culture. We seem to live in a world in which everyone is fixated on their rights and what is owed to them. But Jesus leaves no room for us, as believers, to adopt such a worldview.
Jesus was approached with a question. We are told in scripture that this question was not a sincere one. This inquiry was designed to entrap Christ in something that He might say. These religious leaders asked Jesus whether or not they were to pay taxes to Caesar. Consider the following motive behind their question:
So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor.
Luke 20:20
They pretended in order to catch Jesus in His words. They were looking for leverage to deliver Him over to the authorities. If they could just get Him to speak against the Roman government they believed they would be successful in trapping Him. So they ask Him about paying taxes. Jesus, knowing their hearts, answered in the most powerful and effective way. In His response is a declaration for all of us to understand:
Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.
Luke 20:25
We are given instruction in scripture to obey the laws of the land. Christians should be the epitome of good citizenship. Paying taxes is a part of obeying the laws of the land. Consider the following:
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
Romans 13:1-2
Jesus does not seem overly concerned about the Roman government and the taxation policy of that empire. He tells His hearers “to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” Go ahead and honor the Roman rule by paying the required tax. However, while rendering what is due the government, make sure to render to God what is His.
To render is to discharge what is due. So what is it that we should render to God? Everything! God is the reason why any of us exist. He is worthy of our praise. He is worthy to be honored. He is our Creator. And Christ is our Savior (for those who believe). He gave Himself for our sins. He came to seek and to save. The Spirit of God is our Helper. He is our Advocate. He acts as One who runs alongside us encouraging us to fight the good fight of faith. So with God as our Creator, Christ as our Savior, and the Spirit as our Guide, reasons for rendering to God should be self-evident. We owe God everything.
Appropriately rendering to God begins when we realize that He desires a relationship with us. This is not a religious proposition or ritualistic action, it is an invitation to walk with God daily and to enjoy a vibrant relationship with Him. Of course, as with all relationships, our interaction with God through Jesus will depend on how much time is spent with Him. The prioritizing of time with God is an indispensable part of the Christian life. We should render to those around us what is due them but we should remember to always render appropriately that which is God’s and that should encompass our entire being!
Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And He (Jesus) said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:36-37
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