Underlying Principle from Mark 12:1-12: God created it

, and it’s

Reveal Answer

His!

If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth… —Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (Message)
The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus because they realized he was telling the story against them…. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away. —Mark 12:12 (NLT)
Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. —Mark 12:13 (NLT)

Pharisees – Jewish religious leaders very committed to their legalistic view of the Jewish faith, who were looking forward to a new Jewish Kingdom led by an ancestor of King David, who would free them from the Romans.

Herodians – Jewish leaders who supported Herod Antipas and the pro-Roman Herodian dynasty that ruled in parts of Palestine under Caesar’s permission and were only nominally committed to the Jewish faith.

Pharisees believed Jesus was a threat to their

authority, while Herodians feared that Jesus was a threat to their

Reveal Answer

priorities with the Romans.

“Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?”… —Mark 12:14-15a (NLT)

The question they asked Jesus was calculated to get him in

, regardless of how he answered.

If Jesus

of the tax, he would be siding with the Herodians and lose popular support, but if he

Reveal Answer

to the tax, he would be siding with the Zealots and could be accused of rebellion against Rome.

Often we discover how God has been working in a situation – a situation that doesn’t seem to have any good way out – only as we

in a way that’s faithful to Jesus.

…Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. —Mark 12:15bcd-16 (NLT)

The Roman coin and all it represented could not have been more

to Jews.

“Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them. —Mark 12:17 (NLT)

Jesus affirmed that Caesar has a legitimate claim, but so does

, and so people are to give to each one what belongs to each one.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. —Genesis 1:27 (NLT)

Just as Caesar’s image is stamped onto the coin, marking it as his, the Bible tells us God’s image is stamped on

of us, marking us as His.

A Second Underlying Principle – God has a

for how each of us is to steward or manage the resources entrusted to us.

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.… Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. —Romans 13:1-7 (NLT)

In general, the Bible says we are to support legitimate governments, which means paying our taxes is actually

.

We’re entrusted with resources by God so that we can

others in genuine need.

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. —James 1:27 (NLT)

The Bible also tells us that we shouldn’t let others take advantage of us financially, when they have the

to help themselves.

Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. —2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 (NLT)

All of this is about the bigger picture of not only recognizing that everything we have comes from God, but that He’s entrusted everything we have with the intent that we are to be good stewards or managers so that

we use our resources – our time, talents, treasure and testimonies – reflects God’s biblical principles.

God has entrusted resources to us to take care of ourselves and help others, often through the body of Christ, the

.

“Parable of the Talents” – Matthew 25:14-30

The master said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” —Matthew 25:23 (NLT)

Links:

Financial Peace University Registration

90 Day Tithing Challenge Information

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Next Week – The Gospel of Mark: Money - The Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41-44)