Lesson 836

(Lesson 836)(12-10-13) Today's lesson comes from Matthew 22:15-22;

"Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. 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 marvelled, and left him, and went their way."

Today's is a simple lesson but one that many "Christians", out of apparent greed for worldly wealth, sometimes choose to ignore.

A "tribute" is simply what we call today, a tax. Jesus said, "render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's". That means that our "tribute" or taxes, already belong to the government (Caesar) because the government (Caesar) created it.

When Jesus referred to the image on the coin, He made the specific point that money is not something that is part of the wealth of God. He, in essence, said money belongs to those who created it, and that it should mean nothing to those of us who place our faith in Him.

Even though there are several New Testament scriptures advising against "saving" large amounts of money and/or material goods, so-called Christian people still defend their unfounded need to do it.

Peter tells us how we, as Christian people, are to perform our duties, "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:1-3)~