Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God
And for good measure, here's the whole passage:
17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.”
So they brought Him a denarius.
20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Okay so I admit this is in regards to taxes ... but I believe the meaning is deeper. Certainly all good Baptist churches throughout time have used this verse for why we should follow the "laws of the land". I've heard it applied to even traffic laws ... by doing so we set an example more like Christ. I believe the meaning though is deeper than that: That Christ wants us to stop focusing on petty things and focus on Godly things. Politics is petty. Salvation is not.
Imagine my horror then when I read this: Pastors Use Pulpit to Challenge Election Law
A summary: Gus Booth a pastor at Warroad Community Church in Minnesota wants us to vote Republican. Quote: "If you are a Christian, you cannot support a candidate like Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton for president"
Now Gus says he's trying to challenge a law that seeks to tax churches if they engage in campaigning. Gus says his free speech is violated, but its not. The law doesn't prevent Gus from speaking his mind. It says that his corporation (the church) is no longer a place to talk to God, its a place to stump for a candidate.
Gus is violating a higher law. He's violating God's law against becoming of the world, he's focused on power instead of on salvation and like most Christians in our day and age, he's forgotten his first love.
17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.”
So they brought Him a denarius.
20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Okay so I admit this is in regards to taxes ... but I believe the meaning is deeper. Certainly all good Baptist churches throughout time have used this verse for why we should follow the "laws of the land". I've heard it applied to even traffic laws ... by doing so we set an example more like Christ. I believe the meaning though is deeper than that: That Christ wants us to stop focusing on petty things and focus on Godly things. Politics is petty. Salvation is not.
Imagine my horror then when I read this: Pastors Use Pulpit to Challenge Election Law
A summary: Gus Booth a pastor at Warroad Community Church in Minnesota wants us to vote Republican. Quote: "If you are a Christian, you cannot support a candidate like Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton for president"
Now Gus says he's trying to challenge a law that seeks to tax churches if they engage in campaigning. Gus says his free speech is violated, but its not. The law doesn't prevent Gus from speaking his mind. It says that his corporation (the church) is no longer a place to talk to God, its a place to stump for a candidate.
Gus is violating a higher law. He's violating God's law against becoming of the world, he's focused on power instead of on salvation and like most Christians in our day and age, he's forgotten his first love.
Comments
I see that passage slightly differently. If you're a Christian, you're to give your heart and acts to God/Jesus. So what if you don't tithe, if you help the needy and live a good, Christ-like life (for I think the "Christian" life is a horrible thing.) then you are giving to God what is God's. Giving your time to carry on Jesus's work is more important than your donation on Sunday.
But I guess since I'm not a Christian, I don't really have a say. :)
The problem is in this country there are ways to change laws that don't involve violating them. Gus is no different than "protesters" who torch buildings of innocent people to "make a point". Gus has the freedom to write, call or meet with his representatives about the law. He has the right to tell others that he doesn't like it and convince them to contact their representatives about the law. I believe he could even do that from the pulpit without violating any laws.
If that doesn't work, Gus has the to right vote for someone who will change the law and he has the right to tell others to do that.
And I agree, those are his duties as a citizen.
However when Gus is in the pulpit he is speaking for the church. The church is supposed to speak to spiritual matters; and as a pastor Gus's duty is to lead people to Christ.
The IRS isn't "charging" Gus for speech they are telling the church that they fall into a different tax class when the church in an official capacity speaks for a particular candidate.
Dan you wrote: If it wasn't for guys like Gus, we may not have the laws that allow us to preach the gospel.
Then why isn't Gus preaching the Gospel of Jesus instead of the Gospel of the Republican Party?
See, you and Gus both are missing the point. We're to be mindful of things above. God knows who our next leaders will be and will work through them regardless of their party, their sex or their race.
It is our duty as citizens to think for ourselves and seek God's direction individually. Gus may not be coercing people into voting but there are certainly religious organizations that would.
However some churches voluntarily pay taxes. In this way the is further separation between government involvement and church beliefs. They own the property and have a stronger case for hiring practices.
Unfortunately it was the example of many Christians that I became Agnostic. All of the money grubbing in the Lord's temple, lies and treachery, gossip, judgmental, uncharitable, miserly, cold hearts, argumentative, bigoted, racist, vengeful, sadistic, immoral, without honor or creed .. these are just a few of my favorite things.
See I really have no problem with Christ, it's just His followers that really creep me out.