https://youtu.be/Tq2BketOThg

Trump is a very divisive leader. People either love or hate. But he’s the leader of the USA and legally, the US Government is entitled to extract taxes from the populace.Some people would refuse to pay based on moral grounds, but you cant- Got to give what he wantsMark 12:13-17 Give Trump What He WantsJesus again is trying to be tangled into a weave of words to hurt himJesus knew what was in their hearts “knowing their hypocrisy” these guys probably weren’t paying taxes or temple taxesJesus uses the denarius to make a point- the inscription on it is caesars, so it belongs to Caesar.So he tells them- give to the governor what belongs to the governor and to God what belongs to god

Here’s few overarching things that should frame our thoughts

Render unto Caesar what is Caesars and render unto God what is God’s is the crux of this verse-

In THIS scripture- Jesus is making the point, that Caesars face is on the coin- so it belongs to him- His IMAGE is on it- so HE owns it.Why is it difficult to give something back to the person who’s image is on it?Ever loaned someone something and then felt uncomfortable asking if you could have it back?Why would we feel that way? Its ours! Bring me back MY tool. MY car. MY whatever. Its MINEIts like when my kids are in school and I have to jump through hoops to get them- THEY ARE MINEWould you agree that if someone owns something, that they have the rights to it? No one would disagree with this!- So, if someone owns it- they have the right to decide where it goes? AGREESo Jesus says “render unto caesar what is caesars” and basically says- It already belongs to him, you’re just giving him what is his. Don’t lose any sleep over it- Give it back to him.BUT IT TAXES- AND TAXES ARE UNJUST…RIGHT?

Taxes were in the OT and instituted by God.

The nation of Israel paid 10% on a temple tax. They were required to give up their first fruits, leave crops on the ground for the poor, Sometimes a whole years crop was given to God. Animals etc.“An excise tax on articles consumed was called “belo” in Hebrew, and a road toll or customs tax was termed “halakh.” In Ezra 4:20, these indirect taxes are termed “tribute” and “duty” respectively in the modern English version. Other words used in various places in the Old Testament were “mas” (forced labor) [I Kings 5:13; v. 27, Hebrew text], “massa” (burden) [II Chronicles 17:11], “mekhes” (measure) [Numbers 31:25-31], and “middah” (tribute) [Ezra 4:20]. These numerous terms were perhaps necessary because the Hebrew language had no general word corresponding to the English word “tax” [Orr, 1956, p. 2918].

Everyone pays taxes.

Jesus paid taxes Matthew 17:24-27 he sent peter to pull a fish with a coin in his mouth

We are supposed to submit to government

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.1 Peter 2:13-16 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

Sometimes you go against the Government

Daniel is a great example of a man who lived and worked in a pagan governmentHe did was was required of him. Was a good servant.