“Jesus said "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's” - Matthew 22:21

The Pharisees and Herodians were common enemies, but they both came together as friends to fight against Jesus. They had asked Jesus; “is it right to pay tax to Caesar“? The Master answered them; “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God, what is God’s” They were surprised at the Master’s response. The question was asked in order to trap Jesus but they failed. The essence of their coming together was to fight against Jesus and to bring down His Ministry and then, to make the Master stumble in the presence of His disciples and the people who loved Him. Jesus response may have solved an immediate problem, but we have to look beyond the issue of tax in His response. Jesus’ statement also touches on; “our primary loyalties in life, about giving back to God what belongs to God - that which we owe Him”. I do not think we have trouble understanding what belongs to Caesar in that passage? In the case of Caesar, the image of Caesar was engraved on the coin used in paying the tax.

However, today I want us to focus on what exactly belongs to God in that passage which we must give back to God. Just like the image of Caesar is engraved on what belongs to Caesar, so also is the image of God engraved on the things that belong to God. The scripture says you are an image of God (Ref. Genesis 1:26 - 27). This means, therefore, that you must give render willingly of your whole self to God without any reservation. How? Through service to God and to humanity. Beloved, Jesus is reminding us today that just as we pay tax to Caesar in fulfillment of an obligation, by rendering back to Caesar the coin on which his image was engraved, so we ought to render ourselves back to God in service with all our hearts, as an obligation to God. The best form of service to God is service to humanity. When we serve humanity, we are serving the glory of God here on earth. How much service have you rendered to God since the beginning of this year? Today is offering you a good opportunity to start! Bring out yourself to serve the needs of others in the best way possible. When you do that, God will also make you a channel for His divine providence to stream through you to humanity. Those who bring themselves to serve the needs of others do not lack anything!