Pay the Tax – Don’t Offend Them

"However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me." Matthew 17:27 

Fish. Consider the fish in the Bible. God made the fish. Jonah was swallowed by a big fish. There was a Fish Gate in the wall surrounding Jerusalem. Jesus fed five thousand and then an additional four thousand men and their families with just a few fish and loaves of bread. Jesus blessed Simon Peter and the other disciples by filling their fishing nets full…yet they didn’t break. Jesus cooked breakfast, including fish, for His disciples after His resurrection. Jesus told Peter to catch a fish…and take a shekel out of its mouth to pay the Roman tax. Don’t offend the Romans…pay the tax. 

Fish. Who would have thought that such a smelly creature would have provided so much for people across the ages? Food, protection, provision and tax payment. When was the last time you caught a fish and took a coin from its mouth?  

RSVP: Jesus did not want to offend the Romans. Just pay the tax…give to Caesar what is due to him. Do you have the same kind of attitude towards your government and taxes? How will you respond to their request for tax payment this year…and to Jesus? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, thank you for providing the resources for tax payment. Please continue to provide prosperity for our families, friends, community and nation. There is always a need for more fish.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.