Life In Distress

Picture if you will, a country with a massive army and a massive navy, biggest and best, nothing to equal their strength or fierceness, everything simply gargantuan in quantity, reputation, and agility. Unless you have unlimited volunteers, this scale of operation takes a mountain of money to maintain. In fact, to continue to be the biggest and the best, it requires—no, it forcefully demands—a constant infusion of money 24/7, “big money”. Please witness the Roman Empire at its zenith in a land called Palestine.

Every country the Romans annexed was a base of operations for collecting taxes. Lots and lots of taxes. Can you imagine everyone’s delight in paying taxes to support an invading army that would in turn make your life miserable? Failure to pay your unfair share of taxes was not an option. Money was forcibly donated by Jewish volunteers to keep the Roman juggernaut alive and healthy. As more occupation was enabled, more money was required. Since the Romans used Jewish tax collectors, can you imagine how popular they became with their fellow citizens? Where exactly did all the money go you ask? I’m glad you asked. More soldiers, more swords, more chariots, more militia, more jails, more angst. I bet you thought the taxes were going to rebuild the roads, repair bridges, better quality water, improved sanitary conditions, more food, better education and all those other things we think taxes should pay for.

Did Jesus pay taxes? He was a citizen of Palestine. Jesus was asked once if it was right to pay taxes to the Roman authorities. His reply as one for the ages! He simply said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” In Matthew 22:21 Jesus was making a clear distinction between ones political responsibilities and ones religious responsibilities. Nobody could argue with that. In fact, the Scriptures say that they were amazed by his answer! An out-of-this-world answer shouldn’t amaze, it should inspire. They couldn’t trick Jesus then, and you can’t fool him now; give Jesus what he deserves; your trust, and give the world what it deserves, a little money. When asked about the taxes, Jesus avoided this trap of trickery by showing that we have dual citizenship. “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the King.” 1 Peter 2:17 Peter encouraged loyalty and perseverance even in the face of unjust treatment. His philosophy: in so doing, we may win others over to Christ by our good example. Paul gave similar advice in his letters (see Ephesians 6:5-9, Colossians 3:22-25,) as did Jesus (see Matthew 5:46, Luke 6:32-36).

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