40 Days to the Cross - Day 9

Day 9 Paying Taxes
Scripture
Matthew 22:15-22 (HCSB) 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to trap Him by what He said. 16 They sent their disciples to Him, with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You defer to no one, for You don’t show partiality. 17 Tell us, therefore, what You think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But perceiving their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing Me, hypocrites? 19 Show Me the coin used for the tax.” So they brought Him a denarius. 20 “Whose image and inscription is this?” He asked them. 21 “Caesar’s,” they said to Him. Then He said to them, “Therefore, give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left Him and went away.
Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:9-19

Devotion
Jesus has had a time with the Pharisees, now another group comes on the scene - the Herodians. Herodians were those who favored the Herodian house to overcome the yoke of Rome and restore Israel. They try here to trick Jesus – another one of those questions that does not have a good answer. Jesus again diffuses the question with questions of his own.
Jesus points out that there are proper times to pay taxes to Caesar. They were using Ceasar’s coins, Rome was providing them with roads, with peace and with a stable government. So, Jesus reasons, give to Rome what they deserve. However, he does not say that you do so but not give to God. Give to God what you owe him as well.
We too, should respect the government and pay our taxes. But we, like those who challenged Jesus must remember to give to God what is His. So what are the things that are God’s anyway? Oh. My. That would be everything.

Questions
What do you need to give to God this week?
How can you make a plan to give it.
What is stopping you from giving God all this is due to Him?

Prayer
Dear God: Help me to give you all I have: my time, my talents and my money. Amen