Today is the day!

For as long as I have been working, starting as a very young teenager, hearing the date April 15 immediately brings to mind that this is the last day to file taxes.

I’ve never met anyone who has enjoyed paying taxes. I was joking with my son and told him, “Jeremy, when the Lord takes me Home, if you need any of my tax information, it is filed under G for grumbling.” We laughed, and I once again told him honestly where they are filed.

I know! I know! I know! Now I am going to get several hundred emails quoting, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Philippians 2:14). I know that the word “murmuring” is our basic word complaining. I know! I know! I know! I was only joking with my son. (If I could I would print a smiley face right here!)

While no one enjoys paying taxes, I am grateful for the very clear teaching of our precious Savior. Trying to trick, trap and betray Him, wicked religious leaders posed “no-win” questions to the Lord Jesus. Look how He perfectly answered. I love this. No one can ever outwit Him, outthink Him or outmaneuver Him.

You’ll remember the scene from Matthew 22:16-22. The question is, “Should we really be paying taxes to such a wicked government?” (22:16-17). The Lord Jesus perceives their wickedness and asks, “Why tempted ye Me, ye hypocrites?” He asked for a tribute coin and then asked them to tell Him whose image is on the coin (22:20), and of course they answered, “Caesar’s,” (22:21a). This brings us to His response and our verse for today.

“Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him, and went their way” (22:21b-22).

He spoke to their heart’s attitude.
He spoke of their honoring the office of authority.
He spoke of their allegiance to God Himself.

Good for us today. Perhaps it would be great to read Romans 13 and 1 Timothy 2 for further direction concerning governing authorities. May we live as salt and light as the Lord’s ambassadors in this world.