He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Luke 20:25

For centuries taxes have been something that no one really likes, but have to pay. Every nation on earth has some type of taxation upon the people, some pay more, others pay less.

In most nations, if not all, there is a penalty for those who choose to not pay their taxes. Some people fight hard against paying taxes for many different reasons. Most often it is just for selfish reasons, they do not want to give up their money to anyone else.

Some people asked Jesus if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar or not. Jesus simply said to give to Caesar what belonged to him and give to God what belonged to Him.

At the time Jesus said this, Israel was controlled by the Romans, a pagan nation. There were heavy taxes to be paid. Today people still have to pay taxes.

However there are many other things to be given to either the world or to God.

When a person becomes a believer, he is to give his entire life over to God. This means his loves, desires, actions, thoughts….every thing. God is to have complete control of the person.

Instead of giving all to God, many are divided and given a lot of their affections to this world. They chase after the physical things of this world, such as money, material things and sin.

The world can have these things and the believer must be willing to give it to Caesar–Satan–and not hold on to the temporary, death bringing things. The temporary things of this world will never bring true life, but only death.

When the believer gives to God the things that are eternal, he will gain eternal life.

As a believer you must give things every day to either Caesar (the world) or to God. There is no option to not give. However, you can choose who and what you give.

Allow the world to have its sin and death, they do not do you any good. These things only bring separation from God.

Give your life to God. As you give all of yourself to God, He, in return will give you eternal life, something the world neither knows, nor can give.

Allow Caesar to have what belongs to him. Give what matters to God.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as Savior; that you will dedicate your life to God; that you will abandon sin to follow God; and that you will seek the eternal things of God.