Jumble Thoughts — October 14

In Matthew 22, Jesus is confronted with a question about taxes, but His response points to something much deeper than money. When Jesus says, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” He reminds us that we have responsibilities in this world, while our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. The coin bore Caesar’s image, so it could be given back to Caesar. But we bear God’s image. That means we belong to God. Everything we have—our time, talents, resources, relationships, work, and future—is ultimately a gift from Him. We are called to be faithful not only through our prayers and worship, but also through our presence, gifts, service, and witness. We can participate in the world around us, enjoy the blessings God provides, and be good citizens while remembering that nothing in this world should take the place of God in our hearts. The world will always compete for our attention and allegiance, but Jesus calls us to remember where our true identity and security are found. So, the question for us is not simply, “Have I paid what I owe?” but, “Have I given God what belongs to God?” Because we bear God’s image, we are precious, loved, called, and claimed by Him. May we faithfully give God our hearts, our lives, and all that we are. As I sit here this morning, I find myself reflecting on how much time, effort, and emotion I spend on things I have no control over. I grumble about the Razorbacks whenever they lose. I wonder why traffic gets so backed up, and I worry about global warming and why we seem to be baking in October! As much as I would like to think I can change things by yelling at my TV, the car in front of me, or even the weather forecasters, the truth is that I cannot change much from where I sit. There are, however, some things I can do. I can remain calm in traffic and leave five minutes earlier when necessary. I can also do my part to care for God's creation. I can plant trees or shrubs, recycle, and walk to nearby destinations when possible. As for the Razorbacks, I cannot think of much I can do to influence the outcome of a game. I can, however, rest in my chair and try not to get too worked up over the results! Taxes are another one of those things I cannot control, yet I still find myself grumbling about them. When Jesus says to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, my first thought is, “Why? They already get enough of my hard-earned dollars!” But when He tells us to give to God what belongs to God, I am much more willing to let go. Not because I have so much to give, but because I recognize that everything I have comes from God. When Jesus responds to the religious leaders with this simple statement, He puts them in a difficult position. The coin they hold bears the emperor’s image, raising questions about their relationship with the very authority they are discussing. Yet Jesus uses this moment to point them toward a much deeper truth: giving to God is not something to be taken lightly or pushed aside. It is a fundamental part of our life in the kingdom. Perhaps there is a lesson here for all of us. Give to the government what you are required to give, and give to God because you are invited to be part of His kingdom work. Do what you can to make a difference, and trust God with the things you cannot change. Sometimes faithfulness means taking action; other times, it means letting go and resting in the assurance that God is still at work. May we learn to spend less time worrying about what is beyond our control and more time faithfully offering God what is already ours to give: our hearts, our gifts, and our lives.

Have a blessed week!

Ryan