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Jesus encourages civil obedience through the payment of tax even as we serve God as believers.

REFLECTION

Justice over greed is the theme for our reflection. Justice is acting on morally right and fair principles. Greed is an intense selfish desire for something. We are required to act justly even when we are tempted to be greedy. It is essential to note that the Pharisees and the Herodians were all Jews with distinct historical orientations, yet they shared a mutual interest in achieving political independence from the Roman Government. The Pharisees sought independence in the form of the re-establishment of the Davidic Kingdom, devoid of any foreign religious and cultural interference or imposition, while the Herodians, who were a political sect, sought political independence to become the ruling class of the Jews. On this occasion, these parties of divergent views or opposing views became partners in crime against Jesus, who had become popular and was making the two parties unpopular through His public ministry. The Pharisees and the Herodians were themselves opposed to the Roman Government and its laws and taxes, but usually pretended to be allies of the Roman Government. They conspired to lure or tempt Jesus to commit a treasonable crime of supporting the popular sentiment of the Jewish rebels who opposed payment of tax to the Roman Empire, thereby rejecting the Roman Emperor’s authority over the Jews. The penalty for such a treasonable offence is death.

After paying a hypocritical respect to Jesus (Matthew 12:15-16), they posed the question to Him, “Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:17-21). Jesus teaches us the importance of paying taxes as a just obligation to the government. Taxes are imposed by the government for developmental projects and for the provision of social services. If Jesus had encouraged the non-payment of taxes, then He was in effect supporting the rebellion against the Roman government that was responsible for the development of its colonies and ensuring their peace and protection. In other words, you may not like the government in power, but for the sake of the common good of the nation, we must act morally right or fairly by paying our taxes to help the government be effective in its mandate of providing social amenities and executing sustainable programmes and projects for the mutual benefit of the citizens. It will, however, be an act of greed to avoid paying taxes and unjustly criticise the government for the poor state of the economy and development in the country. Conversely, It is fair and just to criticise the government if indeed you are a patriotic citizen who pays taxes, but you are not satisfied with the state of affairs with regard to the development of the country. It is important to add that the government must be mindful of the plight of the poor and vulnerable when imposing taxes. Taxes must be reasonably and justly imposed on citizens to promote compliance.

Paying our taxes as a civic duty does not exempt us or prevent us from giving to God. Taxes are imposed by the Government, but giving to God is described by Paul as “each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7) . Let us act fairly or justly in support of the government and the mission of God, for this is the meaning of the phrase ” for God and country.” A greedy Christian is a citizen who does not care about the growth and development of the state and the church. When the State and the church flourish as a result of our patriotism and Christian stewardship, we shall have a just, equitable, and peaceful society, and be blessed by God as a nation and as individuals. Shalom

PRAYER

HOLY SPIRIT, ENABLE US TO ESCHEW ALL FORMS OF GREED. EMPOWER US TO WORK TOWARDS A JUST AND PEACEFUL NATION AS CITIZENS AND FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. AMEN.