“Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:21

It comes around once each year…. TAX DAY. April 15 is the day our government has set as the day we file our tax return for the previous year. We don’t like the complexity of the return. We think taxes are too high and we don’t like the spend our money, but pay we must.

Jesus actually validated paying our taxes when he said we should render unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar, so we often hear tax day referred to as render to Caesar day. But there was more to what Jesus said.

Remember the context. The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus into blaspheming, and asked if it was lawful for Jews to pay taxes to Rome. Jesus held up a coin and asked whose picture was on it, and the Pharisees replied that it was Caesar’s picture. So, Jesus told them to give to Caesar (secular authority) that which was his (taxes) and give to God what belonged to Him (praise and worship).

There is but one tax return filing date each year, but for the Christian there should be 365 praise and worship days. Every day should be God’s day. Are you giving to God the praise and worship he deserves? Are you giving to Him the tithes and offerings that are rightfully His?

I recently heard a great message where the pastor quoted Psalm 150, verse 6: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Praise the Lord. He then asked a poignant question. If that verse said “Let everything that praises the Lord have breath, how many of us would be breathing today?”

What are you rendering to God? Do you render the praise and worship He deserves? Do you praise and thank Him every time you draw a breath? Interestingly, when you look through publications and even Bible commentaries for the “rendering” verse, more emphasis is placed on the rendering to Caesar part that to the rendering to God part,

Remember to pay your taxes on time, but remember to give God praise and worship all the time. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
(a thought on life from John Grant )

by John Grant
used by permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

FURTHER READING

Joyful Generosity

Tithing – The Generosity Habit

Money Matters

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The post Are You Totally Rendering? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’” Mark 12:41-44

Do you ever feel anxious when the collection plate comes around? Paul somewhat surprisingly tells us that “You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give.” Not only that, but giving should be joyful, not forced: “Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully”  (2 Corinthians 9:7). Jesus spoke more about money than almost any other topic. According to author Randy Alcorn, about 15% of Jesus’ sayings recorded in the Bible relate to money and possessions. Why did Jesus (and the New Testament authors like Paul) speak so often about money? Perhaps because we seem to have so much trouble using money wisely. Thankfully, the New Testament gives us plenty of guidance.

In the story of the widow’s offering, Jesus commends her gift of the equivalent of two pennies. She gave “more than all the rest.” Paul clarifies that “If you are really eager to give, it isn’t important how much you are able to give” (2 Corinthians 8:12). So, clearly the amount given is not most important. Then what is? It is our attitude towards giving.

Often, the Pharisees (the religious zealots of Jesus’ time) tried in vain to trap Jesus with tricky questions. On one such occasion, Jesus’ reply was “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). So what portion of our money is “God’s”? In a sense, it all is, since we have been given stewardship over our money. How much should we give to the church or other important causes? Paul answers this question thusly: “Give whatever you can according to what you have” (2 Corinthians 8:11). The widow did just that; she gave what little she could afford and Jesus approved of her.

Finally, note what Jesus says about giving: “Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired … Give your gifts in secret” (Matthew 6:1,4). Keeping your giving between yourself and God ensures you are giving for the right reason and won’t become prideful. As Paul says, “Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others” (Philippians 2:3).

Follow these biblical principles when giving, and you will be giving joyfully, as the Lord wills you to do.

Lord, help me to remember that You own everything and my finances are Yours. Forgive me for the times I stress over money and hold it as an idol in my life. Help me to fully trust You with my earnings. Amen.

Question: What is your attitude towards giving? What can you do to become more like Christ in this area?

by Darren Hewer
used by permission

FURTHER READING

The Generosity Habit
Try Tithing
Joyful Generosity
You Cannot Out-give God

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The post Money Matters appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”
Matthew 19:21-22

Christians should make wise investments and strive to make the resources God has entrusted to them grow, but the key question is our investment goal to serve God or serve ourselves. The Bible very clearly gives us guides for investing. Jesus teaches us to take responsibility for providing for our own needs, but at the same time, learning to trust God for all our financial and material needs.

Worrying over our finances is futile, sinful and dishonoring to our Heavenly Father. God expects Christians, those in His Kingdom, to devote their time, talent and resources to the furtherance of His Kingdom; not legalistically nor by compulsion, but in response to God’s grace poured out on us.

There is no sin in saving and investing some of our income for the future. God does not require that we spend every cent we earn. At the same time, we are encouraged not to worry. God knows our needs and He promises to supply each one.

Be prudent and prepare for your future, but leave the future to God who provides for birds and cares for the wild flowers of the field. So, don’t be concerned to the point of worry. Leave those concerns with God and devote yourself to His concern, seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness.

Though we live in a material world and have need for money and the things money can give us, we Christians are not to be so wrapped up in material things that they become everything to us. Beware of being snared by advertisements and the “I’ve just got to have it” mentality. Jesus tells us that the world craves money and the things money can buy and so much of what we buy is physically and spiritually unprofitable. Much of it tends to be a liability to us rather than an asset. When our toys control us, we have too many toys.

Can you relax and trust God? Can you trust God for your future care? Can you be satisfied with what you have? The Bible needs to be your prime financial guide, as it contains four times as many references to money as it does to prayer. Be sure to invest by the Book and you will receive incredible returns on your investments…. even more than on a Wal-Mart IPO. God calls us to be generous givers.

by John Grant
used by permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

FURTHER READING

• Is it All about Money?
• Shunning Materialism
• What Is Your Idol?

The post Heavenly Investments appeared first on Thoughts About God.