Listen

Then the Pharisees met together to find a way to trap Jesus in his words. They sent their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are genuine and that you teach God’s way as it really is. We know that you are not swayed by people’s opinions, because you don’t show favoritism. So tell us what you think: Does the Law allow people to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Knowing their evil motives, Jesus replied, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used to pay the tax.” And they brought him a denarion. “Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked.

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” When they heard this they were astonished, and they departed.

Matthew 22:15-22

Think

We live in an age where recognition is the order of the day: from facial recognition in technology to the recognition of people who become famous overnight through social media. Jesus’ fame had spread throughout the region, and the Pharisees wanted to test whether he was taking advantage of his influence. However, Jesus wisely answered their question about the tax, posing in turn a great challenge that remains relevant today.

We might ask ourselves: Do we give God what is due? God has given us life, health, provision, wisdom, family, and blessings like the technology that allows you to read this devotional—among many other things we don’t have time to list. God has blessed us greatly, and yet at times we acknowledge this with only the bare minimum of our effort, talent, time, and resources. Even our gratitude and praise are often limited to a minimal effort.

Luis F. Campos

Question to Ponder:

What can you give to God?

Pray

God, thank you for everything you give me. Help me to recognize you not only for what you give me, but for who you are in my life, and allow me to bless those around me. Amen.

Go

Make sure that everything you do, everything you say, and everything you think honors God and reflects God’s glory.