Giving…to Caesar and to God

Remember Canyon Man and how he became Paint Man before the summer was over last year? Seems like when Don gets breaks between semesters, he morphs into some sort of new super-charged persona. Well, last week during spring break, out came Tax Man — and thank goodness, I might add. I was beginning to wonder if our taxes were ever going to get done :)

Truth is, since our nest emptied a few years ago and we now always seem to end up owing Uncle Sam, Don tends to drag his feet in getting the ole taxes done. Back in the days when we got refunds, it was a different story. He couldn’t get to it fast enough. Imagine our surprise this year when at the end of his grueling day slaving over tax forms, he discovered a refund would be headed our way. Next year, I have a feeling Tax Man may not wait for spring break. He may morph on a weekend instead :)

Ever notice how taxes have been an unhappy topic of conversation over the ages? Some things are just so common to all generations. Jesus even had to weigh in on the topic when the Pharisees tried to trap him with a question about whether or not it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. His response? He had them look at the coin used to pay the tax and then asked them whose portrait and whose inscription were on it. They, of course, had to admit it was Caesar’s. Jesus then wisely answered, “…’Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.'” (Matthew 11:21)

And now so many years later, law abiding citizens still “give to Caesar” each and every year. The bigger question today deals with the second half of Jesus’ directive. Are we giving to God what is God’s?

Where money is concerned, I believe scripture teaches that we are to give a tithe (a tenth) as well as offerings (see Leviticus 27:30 and Malachi 3:8-12 for a couple of examples). In this arena, are we giving to God what is God’s?

Giving to God what is His, though, goes far beyond our finances. Micah 6:8 (KJV) says, “…And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Sounds like God is interested in far more than money, doesn’t it? And what about Hosea 6:6 when God says, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings?”

These are just a few examples of giving to God what is His. What are some other ways we can do this? Any other scriptures come to mind? May God bless you as you give back to Him from the rich and gracious blessings He has already given you!

Comments

  1. Great post!

  2. Ugh! Taxes! They are a fact of life. ;-)

  3. I love how you draw our attention to the second half of Jesus’ directive. To give to God, what is God’s. For me, this exceeds the money to also include my time…a lot of it to my church and to others. While I don’t always have the finances to give to others like I would want to, I do have some time. And time to me, friend, is a precious commodity. I pray I always spend it well.

    And, yes, we got $ back this year, thanks to four kids and a one-income budget. I’m enjoying the “break” for a change.

    peace~elaine

  4. We get a refund too and we haven’t gotten money back in years!
    Blessings to you and your “tax man”

  5. Keith was doing taxes last weekend and I knew to keep my distance which I am happy to do. I’m just glad he does them. Yea for Tax Man. So funny. Are you ever going to write about Ice Man? :)

  6. I’ve been married almost 41 years. And we’ve been tithing & giving since the first week. It just never occurred to us NOT to do that. After all, it ALL belongs to God. He just lets us use it for a while.

    It’s been a joy to watch God take the little we’ve given and multiply it into huge blessings for others and for us, too.

    I’ll bet your Tax Man morphs into Tithe Man every Sunday, huh?

    Blessings,
    Jean

  7. Debbie, I hadn’t thought about Ice Man yet — funny :) Now that we have an icemaker, Ice Man hasn’t had nearly as much to try to do :) Every now and then, though, he does feel compelled to dump the ice we have and start fresh :)

    And Jean, yes my Tax Man is a Tithe Man, too :) In fact, I think giving may be one of the spiritual gifts God has given him. His willingness to give has always been such a wonderful blessing.

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