Mark 12:17 (ESV) Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.
Today is tax day in the USA. It is time when most people resent the government and grudgingly send in their duty. It is a day that reminds us that we have a responsibility to the kingdoms of men. Not just to pay what we owe in tax but to pray for and honor the king.
Romans 13:7 (ESV)
“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”
1 Peter 2:17 (ESV)
“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”
These commands are extra hard to obey when we don’t agree with our leaders or our leaders are doing things that are counter to the goodness of God. Remember, God’s people have lived under despotic and evil rulers. We cannot find people much more wicked than the some of the kings of the world in the Old Testament. Think of Pharaoh during the time of the Exodus, Nebuchadnezzar during the time of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, or King Darius with wicked henchmen in his cabinet that tried to kill Daniel. Evil men ruled in Israel the whole time after the division of Judah and Israel. Immoral rulers were prevalent in Rome they even killed Jesus and most of the apostles. Yet, God says to honor that office not agree with their actions.
David didn’t agree with Saul and even honored the him as king while Saul was trying to kill him. Daniel used respectful language when talking to Darius, Belteshazar and Nebuchadnezzar.
Men abuse power and are self-serving. They will do things that oppress the innocent. Yet the positions of authority are God’s way of maintaining order. It is because of that that we are to render due respect and pay our taxes. After the money leaves our hands we are not responsible for how it is used.
Worship Thoughts 