ESOCS Devotional 4 March 2024 – Civic and Kingdom Responsibilities
MEMORY VERSE: “Be ye also patient, stablish your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:“Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are Gods.” Matthew 22:21
TEXT: MATTHEW 22:15-22
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16 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.
17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
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Often times when men quote this verse of the Bible, they stop at “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”. They leave out the weightier part, which commands us to render “unto God the things that are God’s”. In this devotion, we shall attempt to examine this second and most important part of that verse; but first, a look at our civic responsibilities.
There is no teaching in the Christian faith that excludes believers from civic responsibilities to the government of the land, be it at the federal, state, local council or even community levels. Contrarily, the payment of taxes and dues by believers to authorities presents the church in a better and glorious light before government. Jesus Christ taught clearly that we should not offend in the payment of taxes when He sent Simon to go catch a fish, open its mouth, pick up a coin and pay their taxes (Matt. 17:25-27). Saint Paul the Apostle admonishes us in Romans 13:7: ‘’Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, and custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, and honor to whom honor.”
Come to think of it, the society has need of common services and infrastructure for the common use and good for all. These include but are not limited to security, hospitals, roads, town halls etc., which the taxes and levies are needed to enable government provide these services. Let us therefore pay our taxes, civil defense levy, etc.; but let us also dutifully render unto God the things that are God’s for the progress of His kingdom.
Payment of tithe is as compulsory as the payment of taxes. However, payment of tithe attracts great rewards from God by His promises (Mal. 3: 10-12) and these make tithing a covenant matter between the believer and God.
Besides tithing, we owe God our hearts and lives to give Him devoted service. Saint Paul wrote of presenting our “bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God as our reasonable service to Him” (Rom. 12:1).
As our Father, we owe God honor and should be mindful to ensure that we honor Him at all times. As our master, we owe Him fear and must keep our hearts in His fear always, for He even demands it (Mal. 1:6-8). Moreover, there are promises attached to honoring God and having the fear of God. They include God’s favor, riches, long life and wisdom. There is a great concentration of the rewards of the fear of God in Psalm 128. Giving unto God the things that are God’s is a simple but sure way of accessing divine blessings.
- What challenges do you have in meeting your civic responsibilities and kingdom responsibilities? Write them down and pray this simple prayer.
- Almighty God, I pray thee provide for me to pay my taxes and other civic responsibilities. Also provide for me and give me faith to pay my tithe, fear and honor thee with my substance and my body through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Further Reading: Romans 13:1-7; Proverbs 3:9-10
ESOCS Devotional 4 March 2024
