Unto God

“The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.” (Luke 20:19-26)
“Render onto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” It was a stunning answer. People naturally believed that the pagan Romans were an affront to God. That for the Romans to be governing the Holy Land there was an affront to God. But Jesus doesn’t see it that way. God has given this world government. We render onto that government what belongs to it. We obey its laws. We pay the taxes it asks. We also render onto God what is God’s. There does not have to be a conflict here. But should there be a conflict between God’s law and the government’s laws then we have to obey God rather than men.