Currency

In recent weeks we have had the political conferences from the Conservatives, SNP, Labour and Liberals. We have also acutely aware of the travesties of war, resulting from extremist views; where possibly political ideals are being sought, regardless of the cost to humanity. Politics may be something we might wish to avoid. It seems to cause us anxiety or tension, as they seem to want to disagree with each other. What role might church have with politics, if at all? Recall that the Greek word we eventually get as politics means listening to the people. From the people the politicians get authority to speak on our behalf. Hang in there…

Should we pay?

Jesus has been asked about who we should pay our taxes to. So, bringing to 2023: why should we pay the LEZ tax? In England, when the Council tax was brought in, I recall many protests. The local garden/food refuse charge that some councils are introducing have caused some reaction with the words “I am not paying”. If we don’t agree, why should we pay?

Between a rock and a hard place

Jesus’ predicament is that to give one answer he would be arrested; say the other and he advocates breaking Moses’ Law.

The coin he would have access to would have the face of the Emperor on it, together with the inscription “Son of the Divine Augustus”. That coin actually wouldn’t have been accepted within the Temple boundaries  – you would have needed to have exchanged it for the Temple coinage as you entered. Double whammy.

In Jewish thought, foreign kings had power over Israel through God’s permission. Caesar ruled only through God’s permission: so pay the taxes decreed by Caesar. For when God liberates the people, Caesar would have no power whatsoever.

But Jesus isn’t saying that that there is a division between the
secular realm and the divine realm. They are co-terminus.

It’s very much like the One Circuit initiative in Scotland with the District and One Circuit proposed to exist as one, overlayed.

So how do we render all things unto God?

Do we give allegiance to the material things in life, that which we can buy with coins or give ultimate devotion to God – but how?

Today [looking at any coins in your pocket] we have coins with our Caesar’s depicted upon them. The Queen or the King perhaps. Do we ever consider how this story might be brought forward to today? If we use coins these days, what is God saying to us about the way we look towards God?

In America they have the words “In God we trust”.

What might we say? And how?