Tag: Luke 20:21-25
Giving God His Due!
Scripture reading for April 7th: Judges 1-3, Psalm 16, Luke 20
Key Scriptures: Luke 20:21-25 “So they asked Him, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have? They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s”
Some religious Scribes came to Jesus to try and trap Him by asking a leading question concerning paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus was not fooled by their trickery, but turned the tables on them, asking them for a Roman coin, the denarius. He asked them to read the inscription and state what likeness it contained. It was a likeness of Caesar, the Roman ruler. He then instructed them to give to Caesar what belonged to Him and to God what He rightfully had coming. That would be respect and obedience!
Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, thank You for Your precious Word, teaching me truth to live by. May I always please God my Father by giving Him what is due and respect earthly authorities He ordained.
Judges 3:1,4 “Now these are the nations that the Lord left, to test Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars of Canaan. . . .They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord, which He commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.”
Show no partiality!
Scripture reading for March 30th: Luke 20
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 20: 21-25 “So the spies questioned Him: “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach what is right, and that You do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” He saw through their duplicity and said to them, “Show Me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription is on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Towards the end of Jesus’ ministry, the religious rulers were looking for a way to trap Jesus in order to eliminate Him from interfering with their little kingdom. Jesus was asked about paying taxes to Caesar. He masterfully took a coin and asked them whose inscription was on it. His answer showed no partiality nor played up to those who were looking for grounds to convict Him of wrong. Jesus taught submission to authority because all authority is in place because of God’s decree. (Romans 13:1) However, God is the ultimate authority and His people must honor Him as just that by giving the tithe and offerings. Both taxes and tithes are required of God’s people.
Observations for over-comers: Believers must guard their hearts against duplicity and partiality. We must rightly give honor to where honor is due. “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” (Leviticus 19:15)