Mark 12:13-17
“Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. When they had come, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?’ But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, ‘Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.’ So they brought it. And He said to them, ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they marveled at Him.
In this passage Jesus clearly taught to Pay Your Taxes. However, He also clearly taught that we should render to God. What did He mean?
Render
Render has a variety of meanings. However, in this context it primarily means (The American Heritage Dictionary):
• To submit for consideration or approval;
• To give or make available;
• To give what is due or proper.
Submit
Submission is integral to God’s design for human life, encompassing many aspects. First and foremost, however, we should submit to God (James 4:7), i.e., we should submit to Jesus in faith as Savior and sovereign Lord (see Faith). After we have submitted to God in faith, we shall be equipped by His Holy Spirit within us (see Baptism) to submit in several areas of life, including:
• Submission to civil government (1 Peter 2:13-14);
• Submission to church leadership (1 Corinthians 16:15-16);
• Submission to leadership in the home (Colossians 3:18);
• Submission to one another (1 Peter 5:5).
Be Available
If you’ve submitted to Jesus as Savior and Lord, then you realize that you’ve been “bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:20).” As it is written (Romans 12:1-2):
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
That is, you should make yourself available to Him to accomplish His purposes for which He has created you (Ephesians 2:8-10). Have the attitude of Isaiah before the throne of God (Isaiah 6:1-8). When you understand something that He wants, proclaim (Isaiah 6:8):
“Here I am, send me!”
Give what is Due
“For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods. (1 Chronicles 16:25).”
“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. (Psalm 145:3).”
“You are worthy, O Lord to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created (Revelation 4:11).”
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing! (Revelation 5:12)!”
