What Belongs to God

[cmc]

You are reading the daily devotion from NotReligion.


September 22, 2008
Key Passage: Matthew 22:15-22
Topic: God; Obedience/Discipleship
"Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:19-21, ESV)

Don't worry, this isn't really about taxes. At least not today. It's about what belongs to us, and what belongs to God.

In these verses, you'll see that once again those conniving Pharisees thought they could trap Jesus. Maybe they were hoping He'd launch into some anti-tax revolutionary rhetoric so they could report Him to the Roman authorities. It's like watching Wile E. Coyote make yet another unsuccessful attempt to knock off the Roadrunner!

Jesus turns the tables (again) and reminds them of the true order of things. Yes, we have a responsibility to our civil government to be responsible citizens and pay the taxes we're expected to. For more on that, read Romans 13.

However, there's something bigger than taxes here: Jesus' instruction to give to God what belongs to God.

Look around and ask yourself, What belongs to God? What has His image and His fingerprints stamped on it?

Oh, I don't know...the universe, maybe?

The world you live in, the air you breathe. Every moment of your days, your nights, your lifetime. Every talent or skill you develop. Every possession, from your home or your car to your socks and spoons. You have it because God created it and gave it to you. And He created you. You're stamped with His image--you belong to God.

So, what are you going to give Him? Will you throw a few bucks in the offering plate on a Sunday and call it good enough?




© 2008 NotReligion |

[jurneyman]

CMC, What God want's and that IMHO He does not have, are all the souls that he gave the gift of a free will, and all he asks, is to give their will back to him, in the name of Jesus.

[GoldenSilence]

This is true Jurneyman. And giving up our will to God is the hardest thing any human being will ever have to do. Flesh will always want it's way. The flesh fights against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. We have to be alert to which one is in the ascendency, and examine ourselves honestly on a daily basis.
To be honest, today I could have done better, and I missed a very precious opportunity of intimacy with Jesus I could have had because of my own self will, and missed the blessing that went along with it.

[jurneyman]

GS, I have in my personal inventory, felt guilty of the sin of omission, especially the last 6 months or so, but who but ourselves say we did, or not do, exactly what God, and or Jesus, under his will, wanted us to do, or say, In that particular situation and time. I do
not try to figure out anymore why I do or don't do a particular action If I believe I am under the guidance, and care of a Higher Power, I no longer think of, Would have, Could
have, or Should have, I have witnessed many times in the past, where not doing anything was the right thing to do, as an example of enabling an Alcoholic or Addict by not allowing them to hit Rock bottom, especially concerning children, as a wonderful friend in the program, said to me in not the nicest language, who the H*** do I think I am to deny a person the right to their pain, so they might Surrender to God. I say the words every day, trying to turn my will and my life back to God, but with the depression controling my mind, it is very hard to overcome the darkness that envelops me, and the prayer, is not a prayer of sincerity. I just mouth the words and hope it is Gods will and time for relief. I do want to say that since I have started reading others prayers on this forum, I can see a little improvement. But maybe just like in the past the medication is starting to work.

[IO Storm]

J..

It seems you have been praying.

All prayers are heard. All prayers are answered. I do not believe this is

"pie in the sky"...but real. And I pray you continue to see improvement

in your condition. I know how hard it is, as a fellow sufferer. The

"black dog" has been after me for a few weeks again..but I refuse to

to give in to it. And of course I take my medication!

So I am praying for you, J.

Maybe you can say a prayer for as me well.

There is something about praying for one another that works.

Hugs

[jurneyman]

10, Thank you Its a deal, I also believe,that praying for another works, I know from mass cards, and prayer cards, that I found in my Mothers things after she passed away, that showed she had been praying for me for 30 years, she knew I had a drinking problem since she had first hand experience with my Father. I also believe that praying for some things for ourselves also will work, I have witnessed in my own recovery where praying for personal growth, by praying for Courage, Acceptance,and Discipline, character building traits I seemed to be lacking., I found myself using to face life.

[IO Storm]

Done deal J!