Matthew 22:15-22 Paying Taxes to Caesar

In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes (a famous Benjamin Franklin quote). And Jesus is facing both of them as the Pharisees and Herodians join efforts to try to catch him with his own words. The Pharisees and Herodians (supporters of Herod the Great and his dynasty) were political enemies, but here they join forces against Jesus. They ask Jesus: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 

Tricky question because if Jesus says "Yes," he would be in disfavor with the people who hated the Roman government for imposing taxes upon them. If Jesus says "No," he could be charged with insurrection against the Roman government. Asking for the coin to pay the tax, he asks whose likeness and inscription is on it. The coin used to pay taxes was the denarius. It had the profile of Tiberius Caesar on one side with the inscription: "Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus." Jesus replies: "Therefore, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."

On the one hand, Jesus acknowledges the power of government and its right to charge taxes. On the other, he establishes a distinction between the government and God. Governments don't necessarily represent God's teachings and commandments, but they are to be respected and obeyed as long as they don't demand I violate my beliefs and my service to God. Augustus claimed divinity and Tiberius was called son of the divine. Rendering to God the things that are God's means to acknowledge that God is the only divinity and Jesus is the true son of the divine. The coin may belong to the government, but divinity is God's and divine sonship is Jesus'.

In those days, it was believed that the power of the emperor extended as far as the coin bearing his image did. Since the coin was in Judea, it was under the emperor's rule despite the Pharisees dislike of the image on the coin. But giving to God what belongs to God is to acknowledge the fact that I bear the image and likeness of God wherever I go. I belong to him. I am rightfully his. Governments may have their taxes, but I belong to God. What is holding me back from a life devoted to him? I must give to God what belongs to him - my life, my everything, my all.

Lord, fill me with your Spirit this day so I may walk in your truth. May I devote myself to you completely without reservation. May I be respectful of the authorities and pay my taxes honestly. Help me discern when the government interferes with my relationship with you.

Matthew 20:1-16 Laborers in the Vineyard

This parable compares the kingdom of God with a master of a house who goes out to hire workers. Our Master Jesus Christ is in the business of hiring workers for the kingdom. People who are idle represent people who are of this world and those who are hired become part of the kingdom. From a kingdom perspective, not matter what I do, I am idle unless I am working for the kingdom. The master is hiring throughout the day until the eleventh hour.

Some were hired early in the morning, others at the third, sixth, and eleventh hour. The early morning workers were promised a denarius (a day's wages) for their work, but all the others were told "whatever is right I will give you." The early morning worker could very well represent the Jews as the ones first chosen by God to receive his law. Those hired later are the Gentiles to whom the apostles turned when the Jews did not respond to the good news of the Gospel. There is also a sense in which the workers could represent the different stages in life of a person that comes into the kingdom. Some start at an early age; others come to the kingdom very late in life (the eleventh hour). 

When evening came, at the end of the day, the workers are called to receive their wages. Again, we can follow the dual meaning of the end of the age, judgment day as well as the end of our lives. Both represent the call of God upon us, the end of our work, and the day of reckoning before our God. Those who were hired last, were called first and payed the same amount promised to the early workers. The basis of our reward in heaven is not the amount of our work, but the grace of God. This is not to say that there are no degrees of rewards but what is in view here is the basis or merits of our pay. The basis of our wages is God's grace and generosity.

The workers hired at the end of the day were "made equal" to the early morning workers. Jews and Gentiles are equal in the sight of God. The barriers between them have been removed by the gracious work of Jesus Christ. I have to be careful not to begrudge God's generosity when I see someone come into kingdom work after me and have awesome results and effectiveness early in their ministries. God is the one who gives and takes away. Whatever my lot, it is by God's grace and mercy. I should be happy to see others come into the kingdom late and be used mightily by my God. The first will be last because God has designed that way so that we may not boast and become arrogant in our work. The last will be first so we can learn to humbly rejoice with our co-workers in their accomplishments.

Lord, prepare my soul for pay day. May I not begrudge your generosity when I see the eleventh hour workers paid the same as me. Give me joy everlasting to celebrate their work in the kingdom. Keep be from boasting. Keep me from arrogance. Help me be alert to seek and find new workers for your kingdom.