DCLM Daily Manna 30 September 2026: A Dilemma of Loyalty
KEY VERSE: “And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” (Matthew 22:16, 17).
TEXT: Matthew 22:15–17
Then the Pharisees went and consulted and plotted together how they might entangle Jesus in His talk.
16 And they sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that You are sincere and what You profess to be and that You teach the way of God truthfully, regardless of consequences and being afraid of no man; for You are impartial and do not regard either the person or the position of anyone.
17 Tell us then what You think about this: Is it lawful to pay tribute [levied on individuals and to be paid yearly] to Caesar or not?
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In 1961, Joseph Heller penned a novel called Catch-22. Since then, the term has come to describe those tricky situations that create a real dilemma when making decisions. A Catch-22 question is like a trap; no matter how you handle the situation, it can be turned against you.
In today’s passage, Jesus faced a catch-22 situation with the Pharisees and the Herodians. They approached Him with flattery, slyly asking whether it was lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, the Roman Emperor. Was it right to pay the poll tax imposed by the Roman rulers in Judaea then? This question was a cleverly designed Catch-22 frame meant to corner Jesus. If He answered yes, He would be seen as unpatriotic since many Jews viewed the Romans with resentment and saw the tax as a symbol of oppression. Conversely, if He said No, He could be accused of inciting rebellion against the Roman government. It was a question that required discernment and wisdom to navigate.
We often face similar dilemmas regarding our spiritual responsibilities and civic duties. This can happen when we are expected to engage in politics or take on social responsibilities in our communities. However, Jesus’ response to this tricky question provides a straightforward and timeless solution for such dilemmas: Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God. This means we should fulfil our civic duties, like paying taxes, utility bills, and obtaining necessary documents for our vehicles and businesses, etc. At the same time, we owe God our worship, obedience, and unwavering loyalty—those things do not belong to Caesar! We also need to avoid corrupt practices like bribery, which some might mistakenly equate with the legitimate taxes that every responsible citizen is expected to pay. A bribe does not belong to Caesar either!
Moreover, unlike the Pharisees, we should strive to be honest in our motives. We must be sincere and transparent when we ask questions in the church, not seeking to manipulate, deceive, trap or ridicule our leaders. True Christians are authentic in their conversation and do not harbour hidden agendas. They do not engage in flattery or conspire to trap others. Instead, they show respect for truth and seek it earnestly.
Thought for the day: In the end, the dilemma of loyalty is resolved by surrendering allegiance to God.
The Bible in One Year: 2 & 3 John.
DCLM Daily Manna 30 September 2026
