“The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.”    Psalm 24:1

“For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.” Hebrews 3:4

“The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,” declares the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2:8

“O Lord, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions.” Psalm 104:24

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

All who teach and study the Word of God have read this truth: God owns it all.  But they still approach Jesus with thoughts of evil because they cannot and will not believe He is God’s Son sent to save them.

Mark 12, The Message

Paying Taxes to Caesar

^13-14 They sent some Pharisees and followers of Herod to bait him, hoping to catch him saying something incriminating. They came up and said, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, that you are indifferent to public opinion, don’t pander to your students, and teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

^15-16 He knew it was a trick question, and said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Bring me a coin and let me look at it.” They handed him one.

“This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”

“Caesar,” they said.

¹⁷ Jesus said, “Give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”

Their mouths hung open, speechless.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God created all and owns all, there is nothing God created that He does not possess.  What does God want most from us, His beloved created?  We wants our undivided love and attention.  He wants to bless us with all we need to grow in this intimate loving relationship with Him. 

Man created the monetary system of coins for service.  We pay taxes within this system and are told in scripture, to “pay what you owe.”  Give to Caesar what is Caesars but give to God what we own to Him—Our very lives!  “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:7-8

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” –Jesus (Mark 8:36)  Our hearts, minds, and souls belong to Jesus who made a way for us to reconcile to God!

“Give God what is His,” Jesus tells the hypocrites and unbelievers. 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Jesus Matthew 6:33 

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

It is hard to almost impossible to walk with God with our backs turned against God.  We will fall.

Lord,

In this short passage is the message of turning back to you who owns it all and give you our very lives.  I love you, Lord.  You are God and no one else.  There is no one like you.  We pay what we owe to authorities on earth, for that is the right and just thing to do, but most of all we seek to grow in your mercy and grace as we walk humbly with you each day.

In Jesus Name, Amen