Render Unto Caesar

Pay lawful civic obligations - taxes, duties owed the state - while reserving ultimate worship for God alone.

Key Concept

Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar's.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's.” And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.Matthew 22:15-22 NASB1995

• Pay lawful taxes, reserve worship for God - no revolutionary tax refusal, no idolizing the state.
• Level 1: Pay what you owe the government and give your full love to God - do not dodge taxes or treat government like God.
• Level 2: Pay what you owe the government and give your full devotion to God - do not dodge taxes or treat the government like it is God.
• Level 3: Lawful taxes to Caesar, worship reserved for God - coin bears his image, you bear God's.
• Level 4: Because the state and the kingdom differ, tax obedience is not idolatry and tax refusal is not piety.
• Level 5: Pay lawful taxes, reserve worship for God - no revolutionary tax refusal, no idolizing the state.
• You bear God's image; give yourself to Him.
• Jesus avoids both revolutionary tax refusal and idolizing Rome.
• Seek the Kingdom First still ranks the kingdom above every earthly master, but that does not excuse dodging legitimate civic responsibility.

Examples

• The tax bill landed and I paid what was lawful - give Caesar the coin, give God myself.
• School activity fees go in the envelope on Monday even when I would rather spend it on something fun - earthly duty and worship stay distinct.

Note Relationships