Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ¹⁵  “Shall we pay or shall we not pay?”  But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me?  Bring Me a denarius to look at.”

 ¹⁶  They brought one.  And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”  And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

 ¹⁷  And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  And they were amazed at Him.  Mark 12:13-17.  (Emphasis added.) 

What does it mean to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s besides the obvious point of paying taxes?

Generally, we are called to respect what is right in the sight of all men.  “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  Romans 12:17-18.

Specifically, we are called to be “… in subjection to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”  Romans 13:1.  

Thus, in Matthew 17:24-27, we see Jesus and His disciple pay the poll tax, so as to not offend those who questioned them, even though they were exempt.   

We are also reminded of Christ’s example of humility in Philippians 2:5-8:  “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”   

But, we are also called to render unto God the things that are God’s.  So, what are the things of God?

“And he answered, ” YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND;  AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”  Luke 10:27

“He has told you, O man, what is good;  And what does the LORD require of you  But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”  Micah 6:8

“but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:24.  (Emphasis added.)