Render to Caesar

“And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him.” - Mark 12v16-17

Sometimes following Christ is very simple and clear cut. Sometimes it does not require a great theological truth, but simple obedience.

There is a tendency today among some Christian to portray human government, the state, as some kind of enemy that should be resisted at every turn. Unless the state supports us completely we need not obey it, or even respect it. Some go so far as to say that we need not even pay our taxes to the corrupt state.

Jesus had a different point of view and it was pretty simply. When asked about paying taxes He asked for a coin. On the coin was an image of Caesar. “Who is that?” he asked. “Well, it is Caesar,” they replied. “Then pay Caesar what is His and give God what is His.”

There was no doubt or equivocation. Pay your taxes, it is that simple. Later on we find out that God extends that to more than just taxes, but obeying the law. God established human government and He tells us to do our part in supporting it.

Pretty simple.