In a report in USA Today, Rick Hampson wrote: “The young generally don’t have the old-time political religion. They look at voting and see a quaint, irrational act.” One graduate was quoted as saying, “I don’t care enough to care about why I don’t care.” I wonder if this is how we as Jesus-followers sometimes view our civic responsibility!
The insights of Jesus in Matthew 22 helped His followers think clearly about their civic duty in the world. The Jews were required to pay taxes to the Roman government. They hated this taxation because the money went directly into Caesar’s treasury, where some of it supported the pagan temples and decadent lifestyle of the Roman aristocracy. They may have questioned whether they even had a civic responsibility to Caesar. Jesus reminded them, however, that they had dual citizenship. They lived in a world with two kingdoms—Caesar’s kingdom (human authority) and God’s kingdom (spiritual authority). They had responsibilities to both, but their greater responsibility was to God and His kingdom (Acts 5:28-29).
As followers of Christ, we are commanded to cooperate with our rulers, but we are called to give God our ultimate obedience and commitment.
We live today as citizens of two worlds,
And this demands a duty to fulfill;
But greater far should be our heart’s desire
To honor Christ and always do His will. —Hess
Government has authority, but God has ultimate authority.
6 comments:
this devo reminded me of tithing
How many of us tithe on a weekly/monthly basis? Personally i haven't tithed in a long time... and i feel convicted to tithe.
What Jesus said suddenly came to me:
"Give to what Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." -Matt 22:21
Everything that we have, is ultimately given by God. It is our blessings from Him. And yet why do we treasure all the things of the earth when we do not even know when we will be taken away from this earth?
Yesterday night, i lost my mouse and was pretty upset about it. But this morning after doing this devo, and meditating on the Matt 22:21 verse, i felt relief and reassurance that i still have my relationship with God and that He is still there for me when I need Him and that I can never lose Him.
-Jon rbk (7)
Like what Jon said, what we have was al given by Goid and we should give God back what is His, we should give our all back to God, and glorify him in everything we do.
Richard Chan Rbk(7)
i was more reminded of the popo devo that was put up earlier. well first i thought of that. then what jon mentioned reminded me about the monetary aspect. i also did recall the verse that jon quoted. My thoughts focused more on the two kingdoms part, how we need to abide by both rules of both kingdoms, but of course have the kingdom of God higher priority.
-drew rbk(5.0)
On the subject of tithes and offering, my pastor spoke about that last sunday... it was quite something. I'll share that with you guys when the time is right as it really gets to you and puts you in the spotlight.
- Brian Yee -> rbk(0)
Just random thoughts.
I see how everything I have, is a blessing from God, gifts from God. How do u differentiate between whats "of this world" or "of God's world"
- jacky rbk(0,1)
i hate the popo but i love God.
if God wants me to pay speeding tickets and taxes, i guess i will...
- Jono rbk(6)
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