A Closer Walk
A CLOSER WALK
Greg Worthen
We are in a time of the year that the accounting profession calls, “Tax Season.” This year we have until April 18, as I understand, to complete and send in our income tax forms. So why taxes in the first place? As a civilized society we as citizens have an unspoken agreement to improve and maintain our cities, towns, and countryside. So we build roads, streets, highways, interstates and so on. Plus sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and other things that bring us out of the wilderness and into a settlement. Ever seen pictures of the plains as the settlers moved west? Empty. Nothing there. Nothing was here when our pioneers came west.
And so we have supported allowing our political representatives to impose taxes on us which we willingly pay to maintain our orderly society. Schools, fire department, police, and so on. Jesus was once asked whether or not it was lawful under Jewish Law to pay taxes to the Roman Empire. “And they questioned Him, saying, 'Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?' But He detected their trickery and said to them, 'Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?' And they said, 'Caesar’s.'” And He said to them, 'Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.' And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and marveling at His answer, they became silent,” Luke 20:21-26 NASB.
So render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. In other words, in our society, pay our taxes. We are not required to overpay. But we should never underpay what we legitimately owe. Most pastors who preach on this passage usually focus on the rendering unto Caesar part. But that leaves out the second part of our Saviors' response, “...and to God the things that are God's.” What do we owe God? Literally everything. He gave us life and liberty, parents, family, and He provides for our needs and sometimes our wants as well.
There is a hymn called simply, “Majesty.” “Majesty, worship His majesty. Unto Jesus be all glory, honor and praise. Majesty, kingdom authority, Flow from His throne, unto His own, His anthem raise. Chorus: So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus. Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King. Majesty, worship His majesty. Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all Kings.” This hymn was written by a pastor named Jack Hayford 1934 to January 2023. This hymn greatly and eloquently sums up what we should render to our God and our Savior. Worship His Majesty. Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise. His anthem raise. Jesus who died, now glorified. King of all Kings. So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus. Magnify. Come glorify Christ Jesus the King. Majesty, worship His majesty. Jesus who died. Now glorified. King of all Kings.”
Mr. Hayford did not originate the title, King of all Kings. That came from our God in His Word. “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, 'KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS,'” Revelation 19:16 NASB. This Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, IS the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So says our God. In another passage, “And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, 'To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.' And the four living creatures kept saying, 'Amen.' And the elders fell down and worshiped,” Revelation 5:11-14 NASB.
So render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. But we should also render unto God the things that are God's, including worship, glory, honor, and praise. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:25 NASB.