(Matthew 17:24-27)
24 Now when they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” 26 When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. 27 However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a stater. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.”TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:
This particular customs tax was paid by all free adult Jewish males throughout the world to show their solidarity with the temple and the Holy Land. So much was gathered that the keepers of the temple used some of the excess to construct a massive golden vine. But by this time, the Romans had confiscated this tax and used it to maintain their pagan temple. Most Jews continued paying this tax, but some refused to pay it on principle, and the Sadducees outright disapproved. So, the local collectors probably wondered about Jesus' stance, knowing already that Jesus sometimes disagreed with mainstream views, lived off of charity, and moved about and maybe paid this tax in a different district. And IF they had heard Jesus speak and pass judgment on the temple, then they would have really wondered.
Jesus, knowing all things, responded to Peter before he even brought up the matter of paying this tax, and pointed out the unfairness and hypocrisies. The Romans often exempted themselves as well as high-class Greeks from paying their taxes. And even in the Jewish temple, the priests would to do the same thing. So, really, in the truest sense, had they known who Jesus really was and is, they would never have even broached the question. Jesus' point was that He, the Son of God, should not be taxed for the upkeep of His Father's house. But, knowing that many people didn't understand who He really was and is, Jesus paid the tax anyway on the basis of demonstrating solidarity with the rest of the Jewish community.
This is a great example for us to understand that, whether we agree with how our taxes are spent, we are to submit and be respectful of our government, as well as our fellow citizens. And in the same way, we are asked to give our tithes and offerings to the Lord. It's not just for the church's physical maintenance, overhead, and pastors' salaries, if everyone in the church actually gave, even just the minimal recommended ten percent, imagine the abundant resources for outreach!!!
Does God really NEED our money? Especially since He can just have it delivered via a fish???!!! It isn't about that at all. Since our Christianity is all about having a personal relationship with the Lord, like with any relationship, there is an aspect of giving and sharing! But more than that, because He is our Lord, God and Savior, we should desire to worship Him and demonstrate our faith, trust and thankfulness. I'll even look at tithing as not just being about our income, but also about all our resources, time and energy - so we are serving Him with our everything!
Everything comes from the Lord anyway, and so, when we trust Him with everything He has given us, it is then His to manage FOR us! And He will bless this, use this, and multiply this, all to His glory! I'm not talking about a prosperity gospel, or a "name-it-and-claim-it" kind of deal. The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. We will experience more peace in our lives if and when we are content in all things. Whatever the Lord allows for us, it will be sufficient! And having the Lord in our lives is priceless!
In the economy of life, we should even apply this principle to other relationships. Like with marriage: when both are humbly giving one hundred percent of oneself, that means both are receiving one hundred percent. And when we unselfishly and lovingly help and give to others, we will not be worrying about getting back in return. In life, every relationship is an investment, whether good or bad, so it is most beneficial to use and apply God's economy, which will always have the best "interest" and "returns"! The greatest investment is giving up our sinful lives, and giving our hearts to the Lord, in exchange for His forgiveness, righteousness, help, guidance, peace, joy, hope, protection, blessings, friendship and eternal life...
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