What belongs to God and what belongs to Caesar? Our sinful hearts certainly have trouble answering that question, even though it is really quite simple. The problem is that we don’t want to give to God what belongs to God and we want to give far too much to Caesar. What does belong to God? Of course, everything – including Caesar! Our whole existence and all of creation belong to God. He made everything in heaven and on earth. He also established the authorities that exist to carry out His purposes. Thus, to properly honor Caesar is to honor what God has created. It falls under the Fourth Commandment wherein we are directed to honor our father and mother and all who are in authority over us. So we are to honor those who serve in government and pay our taxes in order that they may be able to carry out their God-given vocations. We are to obey them insofar as they do not command us to something contrary to God’s Word. But we are not to fear, love, or trust in them above God. He alone is to have the love and trust of our heart. His wrath against sin and unbelief is the one we are to fear. God is to receive every devotion of our heart and all our hope and trust for everything good. Let us then gather as God’s people and render to Him those things that are due Him – faith, worship, praise, prayer, and thanksgiving. And let us joyfully in faith render to Caesar those things that are due him. May God grant our whole hope and trust to be in our heavenly Father, in His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, and in the Holy Spirit. I look forward to seeing you Sunday in the Lord’s house.
~Pastor