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Should Christians pay taxes to governments that seem corrupt
or evil? Jesus provides a profound answer to this question in Mark 12, guiding
believers on how to navigate life under earthly authorities while remaining
faithful to God.
The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a tricky question
about paying taxes to the Roman government – to Caesar. However, Jesus
masterfully evaded their trap and offered timeless wisdom. By declaring that we
should render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, Jesus acknowledged the validity
of earthly governments and our duty to respect and fulfill our civic responsibilities.
The word "render" means to give, hand over, or surrender something to
a particular person or authority.
But Jesus didn’t stop there—He also highlighted a profoundly
higher duty we have—to God. As followers of Christ, we are called to render—hand
over—our lives to Him. True discipleship means fully recognizing His authority
and sovereignty over us. If we belong to God, our lives must reflect that
devotion.
This teaching serves as a reminder: while we may live in
this world and abide by its laws, our primary allegiance must be to God. Paying
taxes, obeying laws, and fulfilling civic duties are important, but they should
never overshadow our commitment to God's commandments and His kingdom. Paul
echoes this balance in Romans 13, urging believers to be subject to governing
authorities while understanding that all authority is ultimately derived from
God.
Take a moment today to examine your life. Are there areas
where earthly responsibilities might be eclipsing your spiritual devotion? Are
you more focused on meeting societal expectations than on fulfilling God’s
expectations? As you carry out your duties as a citizen, are you giving to God
that which is His?
Jesus said to “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”
(Matthew 6:33), trusting that when you prioritize God, everything else will
fall into place. In doing so, we honor both our earthly and heavenly
responsibilities, living as true citizens of heaven while journeying through
this world.
May the Lord grant you wisdom to navigate life under earthly authorities with grace and integrity. As you render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, may your heart be wholly rendered to God.
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