Generally
taxes mentioned in the Old Testament were associated with Temple taxes
collected by the king and used to maintain the Temple. Other taxes imposed by
the king provided for the needs of the king and his household. In this passage
below Solomon had recently died and the leaders of Israel are speaking to
Rehoboam his son.
"Your father was a hard master," they
said. "Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father
imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects." 1 Kings 12:4
Now days
there are no questions about to whom you should pay your taxes. In Washington
State we pay state taxes on property and on every purchase we make, except
food. Federal Taxes are calculated and payment is due April 15th of
every year. There are so many laws about taxable income and expenses that it is
almost essential to have someone’s assistance or a computer program that helps
you through the maze of requirements. Businesses have different regulation to
follow—that makes life for them even more complicated. Would life be simpler if
we had coins like the one Jesus spoke of…"give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what
belongs to God." What does a coin look like that belongs to God? In
Jesus time there were coins that were Temple coins—specifically used in the
Temple for paying for sacrificial animals and Temple taxes. It was the very use
of these coins and those who made a profit with them that made Jesus angry.
 |
| Model of the Temple Jerusalem |
It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover
celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the Temple area he saw merchants
selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables
exchanging foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all
out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money
changers' coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over
to the people who sold doves, he told them, "Get these things out of here.
Stop turning my Father's house into a marketplace!" Then his disciples
remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: "Passion for God's house
will consume me." John 2:13-17
That last
verse is from the Old Testament.
Passion for your house has consumed me, and the
insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. Psalm 69:9
Give to God what belongs to God. As I see it…everything belongs to God. We are just
stewards of things…including the “coins” or money that we have to use. From earliest of days the Jews were commanded
to tithe a tenth of their earnings.
-
You must set aside a tithe of your crops--one-tenth
of all the crops you harvest each year. Deuteronomy 14:22 NLT
-
When the people of Israel heard these requirements,
they responded generously by bringing the first share of their grain, new wine,
olive oil, honey, and all the produce of their fields. They brought a large
quantity--a tithe of all they produced. 2 Chronicles 31:5 NLT
Most of our
money says…In God We Trust. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Do you put
your trust in God? Is He Lord of your life?
Prayer ~ Lord God, I hear Your
words… “give
to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” Please continue to bless us that we would have a generous tithe to
return to You and to pay our taxes as required…since You said…”give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and
give to God what belongs to God.” Everything is Yours God.
Daily
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4
© 2018 Text and
photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Follow And Like
"Banquet With The King" on Facebook. 👍
No comments:
Post a Comment