RENDER UNTO CAESAR
(Matthew 22:17-22)


INTRODUCTION:

1. Sunday's are wonderful days.
a. They are wonderful because it is on a Sunday the Lord rose from the grave. (John 20:1ff.)
b. While we do not know the specific day of the year in which the Lord rose from the grave we do know He rose on a Sunday.
c. Christians are to worship God every Sunday (Acts 20:7: 1 Cor. 16:1) and in so doing indicate their faith in the resurrection of the Son of God throughout the year.
d. There is no Scriptural authority for us to take one Sunday out of the year and observe it as a religious holy day in honor of the resurrection of Christ.
e. Therefore, to practice the religious observance of Easter as a special holy day in which we recognize the resurrection is sin.
f. It is denominational practice that has come from the doctrines and imaginations of vain men.

2. This Sunday falls on another day that stands out in the minds of Americans.
a. Today is April the 15th, which is the notorious and infamous tax deadline day.
b. I believe the IRS has given us an extra day to file since the deadline fell on a Sunday this time.

3. Did you know that some people who call themselves Christians say we should not pay our taxes?
a. Is this a Scriptural position to hold?
b. Does the Bible even say anything at all about paying our taxes?

4. Yes, the Bible does speak about taxes and we are going to see what it says this morning.

DISCUSSION:

I. WHAT DID JESUS TEACH ABOUT PAYING TAXES?

A. Jesus commanded the Jews to pay their taxes to the Roman government. (Matthew 22:17-22)

1. Many of the emperors of ancient Rome were extremely corrupt.
a. The pleasures in which they engaged were perverse.
b. The pain that they inflicted upon others inhuman.

2. During the time of Christ the Jews were under the control of the Roman Empire.
a. They were allowed to keep their religion and culture but they were watched, monitored, and controlled by the Romans.
b. Because of this many of the Jews had come to hate the Roman Empire, including the Zealots who advocated open rebellion.

3. All of this made paying taxes to the Roman Empire a difficult pill to swallow for the Jews.
a. There were debates among the Jews as to whether or not they should pay taxes to such a corrupt and evil government.
b. This debate was brought before Christ in hopes of finding a reason to have Him put to death.
1) If Jesus decided to please the Jews and say don't pay taxes then the Romans could have punished him.
2) If He told them to pay taxes He might incur the wrath of some of the Jews.

4. Jesus told the Jews to pay their taxes to the evil Roman Empire.
a. However, the way manner in which He answered the question was so simple and so clever He was able to prevent His enemies from turning the people against Him.
b. Jesus asked whose image was on the coin, and the answer came back Caesar's.
c. He then replied, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's."

5. To say we ought not pay our taxes because our government does immoral things with our tax money is not Biblical.
a. Jesus paid taxes to a wicked Roman government.
b. We must pay taxes to our government even if the money is used for sinful things.

B. Jesus even paid a tax He did not have to pay so as not to unnecessarily offend the Jews. (Matthew 17:25-27 - NKJV)

1. This was the temple tax here under consideration that the Jews were required to pay. (Exodus 30:11-16; 38:26)

2. Jesus did not have to pay this tax because He was the Son of God and yet He paid it anyway.

3. Clearly, if Jesus were in our nation today He would pay His taxes and so must we.

II. WHAT IS OUR OBLIGATION TO THE GOVERNMENT?

A. There are three institutions established by God.

1. There is the oldest which is the family.

2. There is the newest which is the church.

3. And there is government.

B. God ordained government for the purpose of making and enforcing laws. (Romans 13:1-6)

1. Laws and law enforcement provide stability and civility.

2. When laws are appropriately made and consistently enforced those who enforce them become ministers of God accomplishing good.

C. We have a responsibility to obey those laws in order to avoid punishment and to avoid violating our consciences. (Romans 13:5)

1. Obeying those laws includes paying our taxes. (Romans 13:7)

2. The expression "owe no man anything" is found in this context.
a. We cannot help but to owe our taxes.
b. We can decide we shall not fail to pay our taxes.
c. To deliberately fail to pay our taxes is a sin.

III. WHAT SHOULD BE OUR APPROACH TO PAYING TAXES?

A. We must be honest in all that we do including in the way we file and pay our taxes.

1. Paul taught the Christians in the church at Rome to "provide things honest in the sight of all men." (Romans 12:17)

2. Those who are not honest will be lost. (Revelation 21:8)

B. Being honest sets forth the proper example for others to follow. (1 Peter 2:11-15)

1. We must abstain from immoral physical desires which war against the soul.
a. This would include the covetousness.
b. Covetousness might cause one to cheat on his taxes for money.

2. We must live honestly before the world so as to try to leave before them such an example as might win them to Christ.
a. Included in the context is another discussion of the need to submit to the government.
b. We are to be honest in our submission to the government in order to put to silence the false accusations that come from evil men.


CONCLUSION:

1. If we do not pay our taxes we are guilty of sin.

2. If we do not repent of our sin we shall be lost.

3. Let us be thankful for the benefits our government brings to us.
a. Freedom.
b. Security.
c. Civility.

4. Don't forget to file your taxes tomorrow.
a. However, tomorrow may not come.
b. The Lord may come first.
c. Are you ready?